 Church of the Multiplication | ||
| Tabgha, En Sheva, One Sheva | ||
| district | Northern District | |
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| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Tabgha (Hebrew טבחה; Arabic عين التابغة, Ain at Tabgha), too En Scheva, is an important biblical site on the northern Lake genezareth in Israel. According to tradition, the place is considered to be the place of the miraculous multiplication of bread and the installation of Peter as the first Pope. Tabgha with its beautiful churches and gardens is particularly popular with Christian study trips or pilgrimages. A detour is also worthwhile as part of a private trip.
background
Tabgha is also by the Hebrew name "En Scheva" (עין שבע, also A sheva) known. The designation Tabgha comes from Arabic and is an abbreviation of the original Greek name Heptapegon. All three names ultimately mean the same thing, namely "place of the seven springs" (or seven wells). The name was originally chosen on the basis of seven sources in the area of Tabgha. When you enter the atrium of the Church of the Multiplication, you can see a small fountain, the seven fish-shaped tubes of which are also reminiscent of the seven springs.
Tabgha is traditionally regarded as the place where the multiplication of the bread and the subsequent feeding of the 5000 are said to have taken place, from which the Bible (Mt 14,17-21 ) reported. The Church of the Multiplication is built over the stone associated with the miracle. A second church, the so-called Primate Chapel, recalls the vocation of Peter as the first Pope with the words "Pasture my sheep", which after Joh 21 also took place at the Sea of Galilee. This church is a little further east on the lake shore.
getting there
By plane
The region around the Sea of Galilee cannot be reached directly by plane. The preferred airport is the Ben Gurion Airport at Tel Aviv; Tabgha can be reached from there by rental car, alternatively by public transport via Tel Aviv or Haifa.
By train
The region has no train connection; the nearest train stations are along the coast, e.g. in Haifa.
By bus
There is no bus stop directly in Tabgha, the bus stops at road 90. The bus stop is after a knoll at the junction of road 87 (in the direction of Tabgha, Kafarnaum and on the Golan). From the junction you can walk to Tabgha (follow road 87 for about half a kilometer).
| Of | Bus routes | Connection density during the day | Duration approx. | Price NIS | Hints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiberias | 59*, 63, 450*, 841, 963 | irregular, 1-4 connections / hour | 0:20 | 15,00 | Prize: Egged |
| Kirjat Schmona | 63, 841, 963 | approx. hourly. | 0:45 | 24,00 | Travel time to K. Schmona is longer. |
| Safed | 450* | every 1-2 hours | 0:30 | ||
| Tel Aviv | 841 | every 1-2 hours | 3:30 | 50,00 | Travel time to T.A. approx. 30 min longer. |
| Jerusalem | 963 | 4x / day | 3:00 | 55,00 | |
| Notes: In some cases, not all lines to the destination are mentioned here (e.g. if there are many different lines between two cities or very few journeys on one line). However, the specified cycle density refers to all available connections. Links in the table lead to the mobility information of the respective location. Swell: Egged and Otobusim.co.il; Status: 10/2010 - * Lines with a star are not served by Egged, but by another company. | |||||
In the street
The site is on Road 87 just after it turns off Road 90; past Tabgha the road continues to Capernaum and the Golan Heights. From the Jordan Valley (Bet She'an, Kirjat Schmona) or coming from Tiberias you choose the road 90 to the northern shore of the lake and then turn off. If you are coming from the east bank of the lake or the Golan, you should take road 87 or its feeder straight away.
By boat
mobility
You move on foot within the area. There are parking spaces at both churches, but you can walk the short distance (approx. 300 m along the street).
Tourist Attractions
Church of the Multiplication
Today's Church of the Multiplication stands on the foundations of a previous church from the 5th century. The building belongs to the Benedictines and was consecrated in 1982. Inside there are still the old mosaics, they show, among other things, five loaves of bread and two fish right in front of a rock, which is considered the place of the miracle - namely the feeding of the 5000. The altar rises directly above it. In the aisles on the left and right, further mosaics can be seen, the images of which indicate that the artists did not come from historical Palestine, but from the area of the Nile Delta. The pictures show, among other things, flamingos and lotus blossoms and a nilometer, which was used to measure the water level in that area.
In an arson attack on June 18, 2015, parts of the complex, especially the atrium and the souvenir shop, were badly damaged. In the long term, this area will not be accessible or only to a very limited extent. The church itself was spared from the flames.
Primate Chapel
The so-called "Primate Chapel" is located only about 200 m as the crow flies east of the Church of the Multiplication. The place of the church is traditionally considered to be the place where Jesus according to the presentation of the Gospel of John (Joh 21,15-17 ) gave his disciple Peter the leadership of the Church. According to the ecclesiastical interpretation, Peter was installed here as the first Pope of the Christian Church with the words “Pasture my sheep”.
The Primate Chapel itself is made of black basalt and has a completely different character than the Church of the Multiplication: It is smaller and, with its partly colored windows, also a little darker. At the transition to the chancel there is a rock with a plaque "Mensa Christi" (Table of christ). In connection with the institution of Peter, the Gospel of John also reports of a common meal of the disciples with Jesus, which is said to have taken place on this rock.
activities
The churches and gardens of Tabgha are primarily places of silence (which you don't always notice). If you have some time with you, with a bit of luck you can take in the church interiors between two tourist buses, sit a little apart in the garden by the primate chapel or just look at the Sea of Galilee. If you are on an organized trip yourself and only have a short stay, it is of course more difficult. In any case, it is worthwhile to treat yourself to a few moments away from the large groups (if only to discover some little things that you would otherwise overlook).
shop
In the atrium of the Church of the Multiplication there is a small souvenir shop with postcards, typical souvenirs and devotional items.
kitchen
nightlife
Naturally, there is no real night life in Tabgha; those looking for variety and entertainment are in Tiberias best placed where there are many restaurants and pubs in the city center near the shore.
There is a cafeteria with a beautiful terrace for the guests of the Tabgha pilgrim house.
accommodation
- Tabgha pilgrim house, POB 993 Tabgha, Tiberias 14107. Tel.: 972-4-6700100, Fax: 972-4-6700101, Email: [email protected]. The history of the pilgrim house in Tabgha goes back to the late 19th century. It was expanded and renovated in 2002 and is within walking distance of the two churches, at the reception you can get a key to walk through an orange plantation to the Church of the Multiplication. Since the pilgrim's house is right next to the lake, you can swim there.
- Karei Deshe youth hostel, D.N. Hevel Korazim, 12365. Tel.: 972-2-5945633, Fax: 972-4-6724818, Email: [email protected]. The Karei Deshe youth hostel (sometimes also transcribed differently, e.g. Kare Desche) is about halfway between Ginnosar and Tabgha on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The buses usually stop at the junction of Strichstraße to the youth hostel from Straße 90; the buses 459 and 851 indicated on the German side of the youth hostel association no longer run, according to Egged information, but you can take the buses that run between Tiberias and Tabgha.Open: Reception 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., winter only until 7 p.m.
health
Practical advice
In Tabgha - as everywhere in religious places - one should be considerate and behave appropriately, e.g. not eating in the churches. Appropriate clothing is also important (shoulders covered, pants and skirts below the knees), otherwise you may not be admitted.
trips
- Above Tabgha it says Mount of Beatitudes a church reminiscent of the Sermon on the Mount.
- To the east you can get to from Tabgha Capernaum (also: Capernaum). This place also plays an important role in the New Testament; according to biblical testimony, some of Jesus' disciples come from here.
- Just a few kilometers west of Tabgha you can go to Ginnosar visit the stately remains of an approximately 2000 year old fishing boat.
- To the capital of the region, the city Tiberias on the west bank of the lake, it is almost 15 kilometers.
