The Mosaics of Sepphoris
Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours (BIMT) is all about teaching the Bible in the context of the land of Israel and other biblical countries (Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy). There are over 100 biblical sites in Israel alone that have been excavated. The incredible site of ancient Sepphoris is one of them. As we walk through the site, you will be amazed to see the well-preserved the stone pavements and mosaics!
Sepphoris (or Zippori, which means “bird” in Hebrew) is located in the Lower Galilee. The city where Jesus grow up, Nazareth, is only 4-5 miles away as a crow flies. No doubt Jesus visited Sepphoris, perhaps at an early age with his father Joseph. After all, Joseph was more of a stone mason than a wood carpenter. The discovery of pavement stone here hints to the possibility that these stones were chiseled / mass-produced elsewhere (let’s say, Nazareth or Cana), and then brought into Sepphoris for usage.
While most of the ruins are from the Late Roman Period, the city was certainly Jewish. The art of making city streets was perfected here. The north-south street was called the Cardo. The intersecting east-west street was called the Decamanus. The sidewalks (for pedestrians) of these streets were lined with mosaics.
The most famous mosaic is called by some the “Mona Lisa of the Galilee.” It was part of a Roman villa. The details and color of the mosaic is stunning. In the video below, you will see for yourself!
“Sepphoris was known for its beautiful mosaics. Archaeologists have uncovered many of these. The most famous one is called the “Mona Lisa of the Galilee.” It was part of a Roman villa.” Making mosaics was truly an art!”
