Magdala, an ancient town on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, is believed to be where Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus mentioned in all four Gospels, and present at his death, burial and resurrection, was from.
For years the exact location of the town was not exactly known. But then, during construction of a Catholic retreat center, relics were found! In Israel, whenever relics are found, all construction must stop and the archaeologists are called in. Excavations found not only the town, but an ancient synagogue, called the
Migdal Synagogue, believed to be the oldest synagogue found in Galilee. Also found was a carved stone block, called the Magdala Stone, with detailed carvings of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem, as well as a carving of a seven branched Temple Torah. It is the earliest carving of a menorah to be found outside of Jerusalem.
A Catholic Church is built on the site with a number of different chapels. Four of the chapels have mosaics on the back wall depicting events from the life of Jesus. Another chapel, called the Encounter Chapel, has a large, very powerful, mural of the woman with issue of blood touching the hem of Jesus' robe.
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| Excavated ruins showing a small table and mosaic floor |
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| A mosaic floor found in the ruins |
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| The main chapel in the Catholic Church is called the Boat Chapel, with a boat for the altar and a large window behind it allowing you to see the Sea of Galilee. Sitting in the congregation, and squinting your eyes, you can almost see the boat floating on the water. |
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| A panorama of the mural in the Encounter Chapel, showing the woman with the issue of blood touching the hem of Jesus' robe |
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| This painting of Mother Teresa was outside the Encounter Chapel |
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| Looking into the Boat Chapel from the Sea of Galilee side of the church |
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