Zippori National Park
Many visitors to Nazareth are not aware that only four miles away lies the ancient city of Zippori (pronounced Tsippori in Hebrew). This was the administrative and
intellectual capital of Galilee, known as the "city of
peace.'" Zippori features
beautiful mosaics and an elaborate ancient reservoir (see separate
article). It was described as "the ornament of all of
Galilee," by Josephus Flavius, the Jewish historian. While known
primarily as a Jewish city, it became the seat of a Christian
bishopric in the 5th century CE. And here, on a hilltop there is a
church and a watchtower in memory of Anne and Joachim, the parents of
Mary, Mother of Jesus.
The excavations at ancient Zippori also known as Sepphoris have proven to be one of the most exciting
archaeological sites in the Galilee today. The modern dig, launched
in the mid-1980s, has revealed the remains of a moderately sized city
that served as the regional capital during Roman rule. Climbing to
the summit of the acropolis, it is not hard to understand the
strategic location of the city, overlooking the sweeping valley of
Bet Netofa. In fact, it has been suggested that the town's name - Zippori - comes from the Hebrew word 'tsipor' (bird), because the
spectacular view from the hill, which gives one the feeling of
flying.
The city's demographic character was
pluralistically varied over the centuries and the loyalistic
sentiments of its residents changed frequently and colorfully.
Alexander Janneus of the Hasmonean
dynasty first founded the city in the 1st century BCE and it
later came under King Herod's control in 37BCE when he captured it
amidst a raging snowstorm after most of the residents had fled. When
Herod died in 4 BCE the locals took up arms against his armies to
prevent remaining under Herodian control but their rebellion was
crushed and much damage done to the city. Herod's son Herod Antipas
brushed off the dust, picked up the pieces and rebuilt Sepphoris,
renaming it 'Autocratoris.'
The city's inhabitants gradually transferred their
allegiances to the Romans,
and when the Jewish revolt broke out in 66 CE the Sepphorians opened their gates and surrendered
to Vespasian to save their city.
However, with the Temple destroyed and Jerusalem in ruins many Jews fled northwards to the
Galilee. A significant number of them settled in Zippori so that the population of the city became very mixed. In fact, after
the revolt Zippori became the foremost
Jewish city in Galilee, even serving as the seat of the Jewish
Supreme court, or Sanhedrin,
in the early 3rd century.
Much of what has been uncovered in the excavations
attests to the very pluralistic quality of Zippori over the centuries, including a Roman theater, a Jewish residential
quarter, ritual baths, churches and many, many mosaics.
One of the things you should make a note to see at Zippori is
located about a kilometer from the main site. It is an ancient water
reservoir, from the Roman and Byzantine periods. This reservoir contained a valve that enabled the regulation
of water flow and was apparently built in two phases, during the 2nd
and 4th centuries CE. It was in use until the 7th century. It is
currently easy to miss the reservoir, but in the near future the
entrance to the park will be closer to it and then visitors will be
less likely to miss it.
Tsvika Tsuk, Director Department of Archaeology
and Heritage at the Israel Nature and National Parks Protection
Authority described the Zippori reservoir as "A technological
wonder which was dug on a geological fault, almost 2000 years ago.
Being inside this space causes us to both respect and admire whoever
planned it." Tsuk noted that a similar reservoir, most likely
planned by the same person, is located close to Irbid, in Jordan.
According to Tsuk the Zippori reservoir was built because the springs
here were so meager, water simply had to be collected.
The sheer size of the reservoir can only be felt
by standing inside this wonder of ancient engineering. Today,
visitors to the park can walk down roughly 40 steps into one of two
reservoirs. Once at the bottom you can proceed through the tunnel
that connects to the second reservoir and walk back up, using another
stairway. The reservoir had an enormous capacity of 1,140,000 US
gallons (4,300 cubic meters). One of these chambers is 850 feet (260
meters) long, 33 feet (10 meters) deep and 6-13 feet (2-4 meters)
wide.
Location & Pricing
Zippori National Park is located off Rt. 79,
between Nazareth and HaMovil junction. It is only five minutes from Nazareth,
roughly 40 minutes from Haifa and an hour and a half from Tel
Aviv.
Park entry fees: Individual - adult 18 NIS, child
9 NIS. Groups - adult 15 NIS, child 8 NIS TEL 06/656-8272, FAX
06/656-8273
Sources: Copyright Text � 2000 Gems
in Israel All rights reserved. Reprinted
with Permission. Photo courtesy of the University
of South Florida Excavations at Sepphoris. |