Perillo Tours

Nazareth is the capital and largest city in the North District of Israel, as well as an Arab capital for Israel's Arab citizens who are the majority there. Nazareth is also known as En Nasira, Japhia, Mash-had, en-Nasirah, Nazerat, Nazareth of Galilee, Nazareth in Galilee and Yafti en Nasra. The childhood home of Jesus, Nazareth is a key city in the New Testament. In fact, some modern scholars argue that Nazareth might have been where Jesus was born.  Fittingly, the town is now a major Christian pilgrimage destination.

In the Old Market of Nazareth are many churches, the most famous of which, the Church of the Annunciation, is the largest Christian church building in the Middle East. According to Roman Catholics, this is the place where the Archangel Gabriel announced the future birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary. An alternative site for the Annunciation is at St. Gabriel's Church, which was built by the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Synagogue Church is owned by Melkite Greek Catholic Church, and is located at what is believed to be the site of the synagogue where Jesus preached. The Church of St. Joseph's Carpentry and the Mensa Christi Church are also located on sites of traditional significance; the Basilica of Jesus the Adolescent overlooks the city from its hilltop location. There are also a number of mosques in Nazareth, the oldest of which is the White Mosque.

While Nazareth was a tiny village in the time of Jesus, today the city is home to more than 60,000 Israeli Arabs, with thousands more Jewish residents in nearby Upper Nazareth.