Migdal
Migdal is an agricultural settlement in the Ginousar
Valley, four kilometers north of Tiberias.
It is known as the birthplace of Mary Magdalene, who became a disciple
of Jesus. It was originally inhabited in 1909 by a German Catholic order
that tried to settle the valley. However, the prevalence of malaria
forced the settlers to abandon. Later, in 1920, private farms whose
chief crops were bananas and citrus groves were established.
During the Second
Temple, it was a large city. The ancient city ofMagdala was known
primarily for the fish salters and dyers who worked there. During the Jewish Revolt against Rome it was known as Magdala Tarikheai (Magdala of the fish salters, in Greek).
Thecity withstood the Romans for a long time until it was conquered
in 67 by Titus Falvius Vespasianus (who conquered Jerusalem in 70).
Joseph
Trumpeldor's Labor Battalion was established here and, in 1921,
a work camp which paved the Tiberias-Rosh Pina road was located at Migdal.
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