- Address: קזנובה, Nazareth, Israel;
- Height: 180 feet;
- Discovery: 1969;
- Phone: +972 4-656-0001;
- Architect: Giovanni Muzio.
For travelers who choose to visit Nazareth ( Israel ), the Temple of the Annunciation is a landmark that is definitely recommended to visit. The church is made in a unique architectural style and does not resemble any other temples.
History of the erection of the temple
Originally on the site of the temple was a simple altar, built in the middle of the IV century. Then in its place a church appeared, erected simultaneously with the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem. It was completely destroyed in the 7th century, when the territory was captured by Palestine. In 1102, Nazareth was conquered by the Crusaders under the leadership of Tancred of Tarentum, and then the second church of the same name arose.
At the moment the church consists of two levels - one is represented by the Grotto of the Annunciation, its pilgrims and believers consider the remnants of the dwelling of the Virgin Mary. Another level is the place where the Gospel event of the Annunciation took place. What is presently before the eyes of tourists, has nothing to do with the first sanctuary.
Construction Features
The Temple of the Annunciation in Israel is erected in honor of the news given by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she is chosen to bring Jesus Christ into the world. This is a relatively young construction, since the construction work was completed in 1969, 15 years have passed since the construction began. They dragged out because of the archaeological excavations that preceded the erection. They were held not in vain, because the world opened numerous exhibits, modern tourists can see them in the museum of the Temple. The initiator of the construction of the church was Queen Elena, the mother of the Byzantine emperor Constantine the First.
The place is chosen not by chance, since it is believed that it was here that the home of the young Mary, where she received the gospel message from the archangel. It is also well known by other names - the Grotto of the Virgin Mary and the Grotto of the Annunciation. From the old building, nothing remained because of the intolerance of Muslim neighbors. The church was erected more than once, but the fate of the building did not change.
Visiting Nazareth (Israel), the Temple of the Annunciation is visible even at the entrance to the city. This is the largest cathedral in the Middle East, which belonged to the Order of the Franciscans. To date, the church belongs to the Catholic Church. In 1964, Pope Paul VI granted the temple the status of a "small basilica". The flow of pilgrims does not decrease, but increases every year. They are accommodated by the monks of the Order of the Franciscans to this day.
Useful information for tourists
You can learn about the proximity of finding the sights by the buzz that fills a narrow street that leads directly to the temple. For tourists, it is also attractive by countless souvenir shops and cafes. Passing through it, people rests on the relief doors, which depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary.
It is important for tourists to know that Nazareth is the only city in Israel where Sunday is officially a day off, while across the country it's Saturday. Other information on the note - near the temple there is no car parking, so a convenient way of location should be sought based on this fact.
The only place where you can leave the car is paid parking on the road leading to the temple. Tourists should wear modest clothes, grab a handkerchief. Not all places allow photo and video shooting, so it's better to check with the guide where you can shoot and where not.
It is impossible to get to the church during the Christian holidays, and on weekdays the church is open from 08:00 to 11:45 and from 14:00 to 18:00 in the spring and summer. In autumn and spring, work is completed an hour earlier.
How to get there?
To get to the city where the Temple of the Annunciation is located, it is possible by bus number 331, following the route Haifa-Nazareth or route taxi No. 331, departing from the building of the central synagogue in the city of Haifa .