Nazareth, in the southern part of Galilee, is famed as Jesus' boyhood home. It contains the beautiful Basilica of the Annunciation, built over the grotto where Mary lived. The grotto is a part of the altar, and on the second-floor addition, the walls are covered with mosaics of the Madonna and Child created by artists from around the world (those of Japan and Cameroon are standouts). Additional mosaics are displayed along the covered walkway outside (don't miss the one from Thailand).
Across a garden from the Basilica is the small St. Joseph's Church, built on the site of Joseph's carpenter shop. It contains paintings of Jesus and his parents. Although there are many other churches in Nazareth, the Gothic-style Basilica known as the Synagogue Church and run by the Greek Catholics is said to be the synagogue where Jesus was taught as an adolescent and where he returned as an adult to read from the Scriptures.
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