Korazim is a national park in the Galil. It contains the ruins of an ancient Byzantine town. It was known during Talmudictimes for its wheat, and later on, as one of the cities condemned by Jesus. In the 16th century, it was home to Jewish fishermen.
The town is located above 300meters above the Sea of Galilee, on the northern side. An ancient road connected it to Capernaum (Kfar Nahum).
Biblical references
Korazim is mentioned in the Talmud as a town known for its good wheat.
It is mentioned in the New Testament , along with Bethsaida and Capernahum, as one of the cities where Jesus performed miracles. However, the cities rejected Jesus, and he therefore cursed them.
History
The city was built in the 1st century CE, but was expanded during the time of the Mishna and Talmud, in the 3rd century CE. The city was destroyed during the 4th century. Eusebius of Caesaria attributes the destruction to Jesus’ prophecy, but it may have been due to an earthquake. It was rebuilt in the the 4th century CE, and populated until the 8th century CE. The city was populated again in the 15th century until the 20th century. After World War I, Bedouins lived there until 1948.
Archaeology
Excavations of the site occurred in 1875, 1905, 1926, and more recently, from 1962-1965 and from 1980-1983.
The city is built from the black basalt stones which come from the Volcanoes in the Golan Heights. Many of the stones are unfinished, but the finished stones, particularly in the synagogue, have Jewish motifs. The town covers 25 acres, with the synagogue in the center. There is also a Mikva, or Jewish ritual bath. Olive millstones were also found at the site.
The highlight of the site is the synagogue which was built in the 3rd century, destroyed in the 4th, rebuilt in the 5th and used through the 8th century. The synagogue has stone lions, similar to those found in Kfar Baram’s synagogue. Other carvings include animals, figures, and a Medusa. A stone bench has an inscription in Aramaic dedicating the bench to the community donors.
Tip: Korazim National Park is located in the Galilee. Take road 90 north from Tiberias, or south from Kiryat Shmona. Stay on road 90 until the Korazim Junction. Then, take route 8277 east, following the signs to the park.
Tip: Korazim is open from 8:00-16:00 in the winter, and from 8:00-17:00 in the summer.