Hamat Tiberias

dgrushko — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:54:17 +0000

Hamat Tiberias (Hammath Tiberias), located on the western shore of sea of Galilee, was known for its healing hot springs even before the country was conquered by Joshua. The city became the southernmost of the fortified towns of the tribe of Naftali, and was inhabited during the Roman, Byzantine and Omayyad periods. The Roman built sophisticated spas here that drew holiday-makers from the entire region. When neighboring Tiberias was built by Herod Antipas in the year 20 AD, Hamat was already well established as a resort. In all, there are seventeen hot springs in Hamat.

The southern wall
The southern wall was apparently part of the wall erected by the Caesar Justinius (527-565 AD).

The Southern City Gate

The remains of arches which once suported a building, probably a spa.

In the southern part of the site, remains of additional synagogues construted between the first and eighth centuries and built one on top of the other. The mosaic floor at the site belong to the Severus Synagogue, built in the fourth century AD and destroyed in the fifth.

The Synagogue

A Talmudic Incantation Bowl

Talmudic Oil-Lamp

The platform (Bima) of the later synagogue (5th – 8th centuries)
A semicircular prayer alcove, served as a platform on which the ark was placed. In the annex to the east was the stairway leading to the upper floor, while in the room to its west the synagogue chest (Geniza) was discovered.

Courtyard of the later synagogue (5th – 8th centuries), can be a study room.

Pictures from the Holyland » Hamat Tiberias

Hamat Tiberias