This spot features one of the most stunning floors in the city, and it is the key to identifying this space as the Baptistery located in the southern apse of the Cathedral.
The Opus Sectile: The Peak of Luxury What you see here isn't a standard mosaic made of small cubes (tesserae), but Opus Sectile. This technique involved cutting thin plates of natural colored marble into precise geometric shapes. In the Byzantine world, this was the ultimate "flex"—far more expensive and prestigious than a regular mosaic.
Sacred Geometry The diamond pattern you photographed decorated the space surrounding the baptismal font. The use of imported marble in various shades wasn't just for aesthetic purposes; it underscored the sacred importance of the baptismal rite.
The Rite of Passage At the centre of this room, there was once a massive font, often carved from a single block of stone (sometimes in the shape of a cross).
Symbolic Transition: Moving from the rough, dark basalt of the common residential streets into this room with its smooth, glowing marble floor symbolised a person's spiritual journey from "worldly darkness" into "divine light."
- Imperial Craftsmanship The presence of such high-end marble work confirms that Sussita was a major Diocese center. While rural churches had to settle for local materials, the Cathedral here employed the finest master artisans capable of fitting these marble tiles with near-perfect precision.
Imagine the perfect spring morning in Israel—the sun is warm but not yet "blasting" you, and the air smells like fresh wildflowers. It's the absolute best time to grab the keys and head to the eastern side of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee).
First Stop: Kursi & The Views Start your day at Kursi. It's this massive Byzantine monastery ruin where the vibe is just... super chill. You can walk across ancient mosaics and literally feel the history. But don't stay too long because the drive up the mountain is even better. Make sure to pull over at Mitzpe Nukieb. On a clear day, the view is insane—you see the whole blue "bowl" of the Kinneret stretched out from Tiberias to the Golan Heights. It's one of those "stop and just stare" moments.
The Main Event: Susita (Hippos) Then, you've got the crown jewel: Susita. It's like a ghost city sitting on a hill. They call it the "Pompeii above the lake." You'll walk through the old Roman forum and see giant columns that were knocked down by an earthquake 1,200 years ago and just... stayed there. It's got this wild mix of ancient Roman vibes and old Israeli military outposts.
Trains and Hummus When you head back down, swing by the old Tzemach train station. It's been restored and feels like a movie set from the early 1900s—back when trains ran all the way from Haifa to Damascus.
Finally, once you're officially "toured out," hit up Hummus Eliyahu at the Tzemach junction. Trust me, a warm bowl of creamy hummus with olive oil, fluffy pita, and a solid cup of coffee is the only way to end a trip like this.
Pro tip: Go right now while it's spring. The Golan is bright green, and everything looks like a masterpiece.
