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A Jewish town in a basalt landscape overlooking the Sea of Galilee |
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Level of difficulty: walkers |
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The town of Korazim is first mentioned in sources from the Second Temple period, noting the fine wheat the inhabitants raised there; the town flourished at the end of the talmudic period. In the New Testament, Korazim is mentioned as one of three–– together with Bethsaida and Capernaum––which Jesus cursed because they did not heed his teachings (Matt. 11:20).
The beautiful synagogue at Korazim, built at the end of the fourth century or the beginning of the fifth century, is made of |
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basalt, the region's most common stone, carved in geometric, floral and faunal patterns. Many present-day visitors use the synagogue for Bar Mitzvah ceremonies and weddings.
Also found was a carved basalt seat, for the community's most respected members, known in the ancient sources as the Moses Seat, bearing an Aramaic inscription. The ancient ritual bath has been reconstructed near the synagogue, along with two large dwellings and an olive press.
Visitors can sometimes spy conies sunning themselves on the rocks or climbing the impressive Christ-thorn jujube trees.
There is also a Bedouin sheikh's tomb at Korazim.
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How to get there:
The park is located on road 8277 between the Korazim junction and Almagor, 10 minutes east of Ami‘ad junction. |
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| Useful information |  | Length of tour: | 1 hour |  | Best season: | year-round |  | Don't miss: | The basalt carvings |  | Other facilities and attractions: | Picnic tables, view of the Sea of Galilee, huge Christ-thorn jujube trees, an ancient Mount Tabor oak |  | Hours: | April–September 8 A.M.–5 P.M.
October–March 8 A.M.–4 P.M.
Fridays and holiday eves: 8 A.M.–3 P.M.
Last entry to site one hour before above closing time
|  | Phone: | 04-693-4982 |  | Fax / Email: | |  | Entrance fee: | Adult: NIS 20; youth: NIS 9
Senior citizen: 50% discount
Group (over 30 people): Adult: NIS 17; youth: NIS 8.
|  | Entrance to dogs: | |  | Accessibility: | | | | |
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Main tourist sites in the vicinity:
Tiberias, the mountainous Jordan, Capernaum, Vered Hagalil guest ranch, Kursi, Rosh Pina |
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