Discovering Sepphoris (Tzipori): Archaeological Treasures of Jewish and Roman Heritage

Tzipori, known as Sepphoris in English, became the capital of the Galilee after the Roman occupation in 63 BCE and is renowned as the birthplace of the Mishnah. According to Josephus Flavius (Yosef ben Matthiyahu), Tzipori was "the splendor of the whole Galilee."

At the end of the second century CE, Rabbi Judah the Prince (Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi) moved the Sanhedrin, the Jewish spiritual center, to Tzipori. It was here in Tzipori that the Mishnah, the first major written collection of Jewish oral traditions known as the Oral Torah, was compiled and sealed at the beginning of the 3rd century, around 220 CE. Tzipori was a thriving Jewish spiritual center with a mixed population. In the middle of the 3rd century, after the Sanhedrin relocated to Tiberias, Tzipori lost its status as the capital of Galilee. It however continued to be an important Jewish center until the 5th century. Magnificent treasures from Tzipori's past have been uncovered, revealing a rich cultural heritage. Over 40 beautiful mosaics highlight the ancient settlement during the Roman and Byzantine periods. At its peak, Tzipori had about 40,000 residents. Main Points of Interest: The Theater: A reconstructed Roman theater. Built at the end of the 1st century CE with 4,500 seats, it overlooks the Upper Galilee mountains. The Jewish Quarter: Remains of a residential area with numerous Mikvehs (Jewish ritual baths) from the Mishnah and Talmud periods. The Crusader Citadel: Built during the Crusader period on earlier ruins. In 1187, Crusader forces departed from here for the Battle of Horns of Hattin. House of Dionysus: A Roman villa with a mosaic floor depicting scenes from the life of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. The mosaic features a woman known as the "Mona Lisa of the Galilee," considered a pinnacle of mosaic art in Israel. Nile Festival House: A Byzantine public complex with 11 mosaic floors, one of which illustrates the celebration of the Nile's flood cycle. The Synagogue: A narrow and long structure from the late Byzantine period, with a mosaic floor illustrating Isaac's binding, the zodiac wheel, the depiction of the Tabernacle in the desert, the Ark of the Covenant in the Jerusalem Temple, and more. Streets Layout: Remains of intersecting streets, Cardo and Decumanus. For more information about the site visit Tzipori National Park's official website: https://en.parks.org.il//reserve-park...