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Located in lower Galilee on a tall hill, Sepphoris is halfway
between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea. It is called “The
Ornament of Galilee” and gets its name from the Hebrew word for bird [tsipor].
Herod Antipas liked its strategic setting so much he made it his
provincial capital when he was governor of Galilee. According to tradition,
Sepphoris [Zippori] was the home of Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
In the 12th century, the Crusaders built a small watchtower and a
church dedicated to Anne and Joachim, the parents of Mary. The remains of the
tower still rest on the hilltop today.
Following the Bar Kochba Revolt of 135 AD, Sepphoris became the
center of all Jewish spiritual and religious activity in Israel. The Rabbi who
compiled the Mishnah [the Jewish oral tradition] lived there. At least 18
synagogues functioned in the city during the 3rd century, although only one has
been excavated thus far.
Also of interest in the city are the Roman ruins, including a 4,500-seat
amphitheater, and a myriad of floor mosaics.
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This floor mosaic is known as the Mona Lisa of Sepphoris
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