The Greek Church and Monastery of the Twelve Apostles, built in the 19th century, stand on the site of an ancient synagogue once associated with Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz, a prominent rabbi from Prague. In the 16th century, Horowitz, a figure of immense influence, moved to Tiberias and became its chief rabbi, playing a pivotal role in shaping the city's religious life.
The synagogue erected in his honour symbolised the site's rich Jewish heritage. Over time, this legacy transitioned into the Christian monastery, a significant reflection of Tiberias's evolving history and cultural transformations. Today, the striking church with its red domes serves as a reminder of the city’s layered past, where faiths and traditions have intertwined for centuries.
A stroll along the Tiberias promenade, a mere hour-long, is a journey through time. It's a place where the lives of Prague and Vitebsk rabbis intersect with the legacies of Israeli generals and politicians. Here, the figures of Roman rulers, Jewish sages, medieval knights, and Muslim merchants, a diverse ensemble of history, come to life.
Initially, it may appear as a modest waterfront in a small lakeside town. However, it harbours numerous unexpected twists of history, stories that are now known to only a few, offering a surprising peek into the layered past of this remarkable city.
