Right next to the church ruins and the old baths, there's this really peaceful park area. It's a popular spot for pilgrims to meditate or hold a small service.
The Olive Press Art There's a cool modern art piece there: a rotating cone. It's designed to look like the ancient tools they used to crush olives before pressing them for oil. But instead of making oil, this one "prints" words from the Gospel of Luke into the sand as you spin it.
The Story in the Sand The text it leaves behind tells the big story of why this place matters:
The Storm: Jesus and his disciples were sailing across the lake to get to the other side. Jesus fell asleep, and a massive storm kicked up out of nowhere. The disciples panicked, woke him up, and he basically told the wind and waves to "shut it." It worked, and the disciples were completely floored by his ability to control the weather.
The Gerasenes (Gadara): They finally landed here (in what the Bible calls the country of the Gerasenes). That's where the "Legion" story happened—Jesus healed the possessed man by sending the demons into a herd of pigs, which then pulled a vanishing act into the Sea of Galilee.
It's a pretty clever way to interact with the legend while you're standing on the very ground where it supposedly went down.
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.
