The Mount of Beatitudes
The Mount of Beatitudes is a small hill on the Korazim plateau overlooking the Sea of Galilee with a Roman Catholic Franciscan church. This location is believed by Christians to be the site of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount where he delivered eight beatitudes (beatitudes is Latin for blessing).
VISITING THE MOUNT OF BEATITUDES
Directions and parking: Enter “Mount of Beatitudes” into Waze. The entrance road leads to a parking lot. There is no admission charge, but there is a parking charge of 30 NIS per car, although no charge if you enter by foot.
Admission: The church is open from 8.00 am to 11.30 am and 2.30 pm to 4.40 pm. After the parking lot there is a building with WCs, a kiosk for hot and cold drinks and a gift shop. Shaded benches are set up for the kiosk, but people are requested not to picnic there. Their email is ospbeat@netvision.net.il. There is a guesthouse. This is their website.
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The Sermon on the Mount is described in the New Testament (Matthew 5:3-11 and Luke 6) when Jesus spoke to his followers and pronounced eight blessings: Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
There are no scriptural sources for this being the site of the Sermon on the Mount, but it was already identified as such and written about by pilgrims during the 4th century. The remains of a 4th century Byzantine church and cistern are lower down on the mount. The present church was constructed in 1938 for use by Franciscans nuns. It has an octagonal floor plan representing the eight beatitudes. The seven virtues are shown in the mosaic surrounding the altar. The inner dome contains golden mosaics.
The best views are obtained from behind the church. The church overlooks the Sea of Galilee. To your right you can see the city of Tiberias extending up the side of the Jordan Valley. To your left is the plain of the Golan Heights.
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Do you find my website interesting and helpful?
Then you are sure to love my two new books "In and Around Jerusalem for Everyone - The Best Walks, Hikes and Outdoor Pools" and "The Struggle for Utopia - A History of Jewish, Christian and Islamic Messianism". Both books are available on Amazon and in Jerusalem bookstores. Click on each of the titles for information, reviews and purchase information.