Mount Tabor (Har Tavor)

Mount Tabor (Har Tavor) is the tallest mountain in the southern part of the Lower Galilee region, and its rounded top, which rises to 562 meters above sea level, is seen to a great distance. Here one can find a short walking trail which surrounds the peak and from which a wonderful panoramic view is revealed. Steeper and more challenging walking trails climb up the mountain. Mount Tabor (Har Tavor) has importance in Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions. In the Bible, Mount Tabor (Har Tavor) is mentioned as the place where the army of Barak the son of Abinoam gathered for the battle against Sisera and according to Jewish tradition Mount Tabor (Har Tavor) is one of the mountains related to the giving of the Torah and in the future it will be one of the four mountains on which will stand Har HaMoriah (Mount Moriah, or the Temple Mount) and on which the Third Jewish Temple will be built. According to Christian tradition, on this mountain Jesus went through his Transfiguration when his divine nature was revealed. On the top of Mount Tabor (Har Tavor) are found two churches- one Greek Orthodox and the other Catholic. The Catholic Church of the Transfiguration was designed by the famous Italian architect, Antonio Barluzzi, who also designed the Church of the Beatitudes. In the Church of the Transfiguration one can see the place in which according to Christian tradition the Transfiguration of Christ took place and it includes an altar and ancient ritualistic remains. Above the altar is a magnificent mosaic which depicts Jesus, Moses and the Prophet Elijah together at the time of the Transfiguration.