Tiberias is not a glamorous and exciting tourist center, although it does have the potential. Despite its somewhat drab appearance, however, there are many interesting things to do and see in and around the city. It also has many quality hotels, there are great beaches around Lake Kinneret and it is an excellent base for exploring the Galilee and Golan Heights.
For the overview "The history of Tiberias" — see my book "The North of Israel for Everyone: The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites."
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Sites to visit in downtown Tiberias
Tiberias Promenade (Yigal Alon Promenade):
You must visit the promenade by the waterfront, especially in the evening. It is a fun place with stores, stalls, restaurants, cafes, and docks for boats. There may be a music and light show at its southern end. It is located on a dam constructed during the British mandate to prevent easterly winds blowing waves into the city. In 1934, a combination of water pouring down the mountainside and waves from the lake led to the deaths of many people. Access to the middle of the promenade is via the continuation of HaYarkon St.
At the northern-most entrance/exit from the promenade there are exhibits in stone and illustrated tiles on the walkway demonstrating the work of the Masoretes, who in the 8th to 10th centuries CE finalized a system for the pronunciation of the vowels of the Hebrew language. Written Hebrew has only consonants, and prior to this pronunciation of vowels in the Bible was known only by tradition. There are public restrooms at the far end of this path and also on the access path at the other end of the promenade.
The Court of the Jews and the Etz Haim Abulafia Synagogue:
To visit the Court of the Jews, make your way towards the promenade via HaYarkon St. Close to the promenade, turn right into the adjoining Jewish Courtyard as indicated by a sign. This area within the Old City was donated to Rabbi Chaim Abulafia by the Druze ruler Zahir al-Umar to encourage Jews to settle in Tiberias. This was a residential area, and all the homes in the Old City, but not the synagogues or churches, were destroyed by the city after the 1948 War of Independence. Thus, the Jewish Courtyard is now a large open courtyard with a memorial at its center and synagogues at its periphery.
As you enter the courtyard, you will notice a section of the Crusader wall. This was previously surrounded by a moat. The Abulafia Synagogue is on the left as you enter the courtyard. It was built in the 1740s by Rabbi Chaim Abulafia on the site of previous synagogues. This is not his original synagogue, as it has been rebuilt and renovated several times after earthquakes in 1759 and 1837 and the severe flood of 1934. When first built it was one of the most beautiful synagogues in the country. The present Sephardi synagogue is from 1950 and is also quite beautiful. It has an elaborately decorated domed ceiling with a floral pattern of six overlapping circles. Because a majority of the population of Tiberias now lives predominantly higher up the hill, there are services only on Shabbat and Chol HaMoed.
There are also Hasidic synagogues in the square. The Karlin-Stolin Synagogue and Beit Midrash located at the far end of the courtyard was built in 1786 by Hasidism who immigrated from Lithuania, but it was destroyed in the earthquake of 1837. A new synagogue and study hall was built on the site by Karlin-Stolin Hasidim who immigrated here in the mid-19th century. It is now used by Breslov Hasidim as their study hall. The Old Synagogue on the right side of the courtyard as you enter is used by Habad. It was formerly the Boyan Synagogue and dates from the time that Boyan Hasidim came to Tiberias in the early 19th century. It was destroyed in the earthquake of 1837 and restored by Habad.
Tiberias Tourist Information:
This is located in the archeological park in front of the Sheraton Moriah Hotel on HaBanim St. not far from the lake. It is open from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and Friday 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. There may be extended hours during July and August. Their phone number is 04 672 5666.
The Dona Gracia Museum in the Dona Gracia Hotel:
This museum is not as well-known a tourist site as it could be, other than by tour guides. The entire Donna Gracia Hotel commemorates the life of the remarkable lady Gracia Mendes Nasi (1510-1569). The hotel is decorated like a 16th century Spanish palace. A museum on the first two floors of the hotel is dedicated to her life. It contains written displays, models from periods in her life, period rooms, and a room for dressing up in the clothing of that period.
This inspiring lady was a very successful businesswoman in a predominantly man’s world, and she became one of the wealthiest people in Renaissance Europe. She used her wealth and business resources to rescue hundreds of Marranos from the Inquisition. Marranos were Jews who had converted to Christianity but kept their Judaism in secret. She also attended to their new lives in the Ottoman Empire by supporting synagogues and yeshivot, publications, and a printing press. The inspiring story of her evasion of the Inquisition in Europe, the intrigues related to those attempting to take over or inherit her wealth, and the family disputes related to her money are obvious material for a novel – and in fact several have been written.
If you are viewing this exhibition outside the framework of a tour, you may miss the implications of some of the exhibits, since this is not an historic period most people are familiar with. So do read the essay below. Note, also, that there is a tendency for everyone but Israelis to begin looking at an exhibition from close to the door and then to move to the right. However, Israelis start away from the door and move towards the left. If you do not do this, you will find yourself going back in time historically rather than forward!
Directions: Enter “Dona Gracia” into Waze and click on “Hotel Casa Dona Gracia.” The address of the hotel is 16-22 HaPrakhim St. Parking is on the street. The museum is open from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. The phone number of the hotel is 04 671 7176. There is an admission charge. Tours are available, including in English, but this needs to be booked in advance. The phone number to arrange this is 04 672-8900. This is the website of the museum.
A commemoration in stone of the work of the Masoretes on the Promenade.
The present Etz Chaim Abulafia Synagogue dates from 1950, although its origins are much earlier from the 1740s.
The Karlin-Stolin Synagogue in the Court of the Jews is now used by Breslov hasidim. It was built in the mid-1800s.
The Spanish Ferrara Bible that Dona Gracia sponsored being presented to her.
Maimonides' tomb:
As distinct from other tombs in and around Tiberias, there is little doubt that Maimonides is buried here, as his son mentions that he was buried in Tiberias after being briefly interred in Fustat in Egypt. He died in 1204. Why would he wish to be buried in Tiberias? Maimonides was never happy that he was living in Egypt since he recognized that he was transgressing a Biblical command to not return to Egypt. In his Mishneh Torah he wrote: “It is our tradition that the Sanhedrin will reconvene in Tiberias prior to returning to the Temple Mount.” (Mishna Torah, Sanhedrin 14:12). Tiberias had once been a place of Jewish scholarship and was the last location of the Sanhedrin. Because of the conflict between the Crusaders and Muslims, being buried in Jerusalem was out of the question. In the location of his tomb are also those of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai and the Shla Hakodesh.
Directions: Enter “Maimonides Tomb” into Waze. It is on Yochanan ben Zakai St. There is a parking lot on this street. The site is well maintained and is open 24 hours a day. There is an adjoining synagogue with regular minyanim. There are also restrooms.
Maimonides Heritage Center:
The Maimonides Heritage Center is close to Maimonides’ tomb. Its aims are to disseminate the teachings and world view of Maimonides and explain their relevance, to engage in social welfare programs in Tiberias and provide studying opportunities. There is a display on the ground floor about Maimonides’ teachings with colorful multi-media exhibits and collections of his writings, including a handwritten diagram of the Second Temple. There is also a short video about Maimonides’ life. Enter “Maimonides Heritage Center” into Waze. The address is 8 Khakham Abulafya St. There is no admission charge but a donation is appreciated. Call beforehand to make sure the center will be open. The phone number is 04 672 5280. This is its website.
The Maimonides Heritage Center in Tiberias.
Maimonides tomb in Tiberias
Maimonides in his time was a modern Orthodox Jew! His book "The Guide to the Perplexed" became highly controversial.
The ruins of Roman Tiberias:
It would be nice if the city displayed its Roman ruins in a park with helpful signs. But this is not the case. Nevertheless, of particular interest is a nearly intact Roman theater built adjacent to the cliffs. It is one of the biggest Roman theaters in Israel. It was built in the 1st century CE contemporaneously with the building of the city.
Directions: Enter "Roman Theater in Tiberias" into Waze, and this leads directly to the theater. However, the initially paved road soon becomes an uneven gravel path. To protect your car's suspension, park in a broad parking area by a concrete building with a white sign גן ארכאילוגי טבריה הקדומה and walk up to the theater. It is about a 7 to 8-minute walk to the top of the hill.
On the way up is a turning to the left to the ruins of a Roman bathhouse, but this is not recognizable as such to a non-expert and can be easily given a miss. Also, lower down and closer to Route 90 from the point of intersection of the two pathed roads is the site of a royal Roman palace. Again, the ruins are not readily recognizable as a palace. Of interest, however, are giant cisterns beneath the ruins. There is a ladder on which you can descend to see them. The paved stones are from the Muslim period.
Not that far from Route 90 is the Roman theater. It is impressive and worth visiting.
An aqueduct provided water for subterranean water storage beneath the palace. It can be reached by a ladder that is conveniently placed.
The tomb of Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes:
The tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes is just above the Hamat Tevera National Park, is the largest tomb complex in Tiberias and is the most frequently visited. It has separate Ashkenazi and Sephardi synagogues and separate male and female prayer areas. There are also several stores in the tomb complex.
A series of miracles performed by Rabbi Meir is described in the Talmud (TB Avoda Zarah 18a-18b), and this gave him the reputation of being a miracle worker. Hence his name Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes (Rabbi Meir the Miracle Worker). An established tradition is to give charity in his memory, especially to the poor of Israel, and to say “God of Meir – answer me!” just as Rabbi Meir is recorded as doing in the Talmud. The hope is that this will lead to miraculous events for those making this declaration.
Rabbi Meir lived at the time of the Mishna and is considered to be one of the greatest fourth generation Tannaim. He was a pupil of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Akiva’s teachings were transmitted through him and became part of the Mishna. However, his own halachic opinions were not accepted by the other sages as he was regarded as functioning on too lofty a spiritual plane, although his perspective may sometimes be included in the discussions (TB Eruvim 13b). He did not participate in the Bar Kochba Revolt and lived outside of Israel during the Hadrianic persecutions. However, he returned to Israel after this and played a prominent part in the reestablishment of the Sanhedrin in Usha. He also had academies near Tiberias. He died in Asia Minor, but was brought to Tiberias for burial.
Access to the tomb complex is from roads on either side of Hamat Teverya National Park. There is also parking by the tomb from either of these roads. Enter into Waze “Tomb of Rabbi Meir.” However, if you are already in Hamat Tevera National Park, it is only a short distance from Route 90 and can be easily reached on foot (although not through the park).
The tomb complex of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes
The tomb of Rabbi Akiva:
The tomb of Rabbi Akiva is in Upper Tiberias at the end of Hagvura St. Adjacent to it is the tomb of Rabbi Moshe Hayyim Luzzato (known as the Ramchal), an 18th century rabbi and kabbalist who died in Acco.
The contribution of Rabbi Akiva to Jewish tradition is considerable, as he and his students collated the entirety of Jewish tradition after the destruction the Temple. The notes written by his students and approved by him formed the earliest version of the Mishna. His traditions were disseminated by his star student Rabbi Meir (Baal HaNess). According to a midrash, Akiva began studying Torah at age 40 when he began learning the Hebrew alphabet together with his children. He supported the Bar Kochba Revolt (in about 132 CE) and crowned Shimon ben Kosiba the Messiah by naming him Bar Kochba (the son of a star). As the most influential rabbi of the time, this was a significant step in furthering the revolt. The failure of this revolt and the ensuing destruction of Judea led to Jewish migration to the Galilee and then to the Golan Heights. During the revolt, he was executed by the Romans in Caesarea for continuing to teach Torah. His tomb complex does not have the grandeur of that of his pupil Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes, probably because he was never credited with miraculous capabilities.
Directions: Enter “Tomb of Rabbi Akiva” into Waze. Waze will lead you to a nearby parking lot, but it is also possible to park right outside the tomb. There are prayer areas for men and women. The view over Tiberias from the tomb is impressive.
The tomb of Rabbi Akiva.
At the tomb of Rabbi Akiva
Rachel's tomb:
The tomb of Rabbi Akiva’s wife Rachel is also in Tiberias, not far from that of Rabbi Meir Bal HaNes. Rachel is regarded as the paragon of a virtuous wife. She married Rabbi Akiva against the wishes of her rich father who disowned her and went to live in poverty with her beloved husband. She persuaded her husband to begin Torah learning at great personal sacrifice to herself. With no previous background in Jewish learning, he became the preeminent sage of that generation. The Talmud says this about virtuous women: “Rav said to Rabbi Hiyyah: "Whereby do women gain this merit [of Torah study]? By taking their sons to the synagogue to learn and waiting for their husbands to return from the study hall where they had been studying Torah” (TB Berachot 17a).
Directions: Enter into Waze “Tomb of Rachel” and click on “Tomb of Rachel Wife of Rabbi Akiva.”
Berko Archeological Park:
This park is to the south of the city on Sderot Eliezer Kaplan and contains children’s’ play equipment and archeological ruins. The former consists of rope pyramids, an omega, climbing wall, carousels and swings. There is a recognizable southern gate of the Roman city of Tiberias built by Herod Antipas with round towers at each side. Hours of the park are 4.00 p.m. to 8.45 p.m. and on Saturday from 12.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m., but check on these times. It is closed on Friday and holiday eves. Their phone number is 04-671 2950. There is an admission charge. Directions: Enter into Waze “Berko Archeological Park.”
Ruins of the southern city gate and its towers
For the overview "Dona Gracia Nasi — and exceptional woman" — see my book "The North of Israel for Everyone: The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites."
For the overview "The walls of the Old City of Tiberias" — see my book "The North of Israel for Everyone: The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites."
For the overview "What are the issues in visiting the tombs of righteous Jewish sages?" — see my book "The North of Israel for Everyone: The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites."
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