Bethsaida (Beit Tsida)

Not many arrive at the special archeological mound of Bethsaida, which tells numerous ancient stories and also provides the beautiful views of the entire Sea of Galilee. At the site of Bethsaida are the remains of a fishermen’s village from the time of the Second Jewish Temple, which today is situated a kilometer away from the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee and very close to the estuary of the Jordan River. Even before that, at the time of the First Jewish Temple, the magnificent capital of Geshur was located here, that included a palace, a thick wall and public buildings. The site of Bethsaida serves as a place of pilgrimage to many Christians, as according to Christian tradition three of the most important apostles were born here: Peter, Andrew and Philip. According to Christian tradition, it was here in Bethsaida that Jesus performed the "miracle of the loaves and fish". Archeological excavations have been taking place at Bethsaida since the 1980s and at the site itself there are walking trails and many informative signs, as well as illustrations which offer a possible reconstruction of some of the structures here.