Tzipori National Park

Major Points of Interest

• The Theater – a reconstructed remnant of a Roman theater, unique in the country. The 4,500-seat theater, built at the end of the first century CE, is carved out of the rocky slope, and provides a view of the Bet Netofa Valley and the hills of Upper Galilee. Musical and vocal performances are given here from time to time.
• The Jewish Quarter – remains of a Jewish residential quarter from the time of the Mishna and Talmud. The quarter has been reconstructed and one can wander around its alleyways. In light of the many ritual baths, it is assumed that members of the “Yedaiah” Priestly Division lived here.
• The Crusader Castle – the castle was built in the Crusader period on top of the remains of an earlier structure, and from here the Crusader force departed for the battle at Hittin in 1187. The castle contains an exhibit of findings and tablets telling the history of the city and the excavations. There is a guided lookout on the roof.
• Dionysus House – a Roman villa, containing a mosaic floor describing scenes from the life of Dionysus, god of wine in Greek mythology. This impressive mosaic shows the image of a woman, nicknamed “the Mona Lisa of the Galilee”. In the opinion of many researchers, it is the pinnacle of mosaic art in the country.
  Nile Festival House – a public area from the Byzantine period, decorated with 11 mosaic floors describing the celebrations held in honor of the Nile’s rise to its highest level.
• The Ancient Reservoir – an impressive, 260 m. long underground water facility, which was in operation from the Roman period up to the 7th century. Walking inside the reservoir, deep below surface level, is a unique experience. Close to the reservoir is the 6-shaft tunnel.
• The Synagogue – a long narrow basilica-like structure, dated to the end of the Byzantine period, containing an impressive mosaic floor divided into four parts: the Sacrifice of Isaac, the signs of the Zodiac, a description of the Tabernacle in the desert and the Arc of the Covenant in the Jerusalem Temple.
• Streets Layout – the remains of the intersection between the Cardo and the Decumanus were exposed on the site. The paving stones of the Cardo clearly show the longitudinal grooves caused by the wheels of the carts that travelled over them for many years. These streets formed part of the city market.