Sunday, December 24, 2017

The Dark ' Pearls' of Tiberias




The old town of Tiberias has a lot to offer to its locals and visitors : a lake , nice beaches, a  promenade , water activities, Hot Springs,  hotels and eateries, historical and holy sites, environmental art works etc...Most of it within walking distance.

However, during my visit there I got attracted especially by the basalt  stone structures found in historical remains and old buildings. There's something dark and mysterious about them that appealed to me. The newer or restored structures (among them hotels, stores) that were built with the local dark basalt stones, looked neat and stylish.

It's always good to start a tour in a city like Tiberias with a visit to the tourist information office (visitors' center), to get an updated map and various informative brochures. 


The 'i' office  in Tiberias is located in an open-air archeological little park; it is actually housed inside old ruins of an ancient synagogue and that makes it quite an attraction.


the entrance to the  i  office

closer view of the visitors' center exterior

ruins of ancient synagogue adjacent to the visitors' center

Among the hotels, the Scottish Hotel, once an hospital, draws immediate attention. It is part of what's called the Scottish Compound which also includes a church and a round little square with a lovely tree in the middle. The hospital (now a hotel) was established in the 19th century by a young scottish doctor who felt his mission was to heal the people of the Holy Land. The hotel is a combination of old basalt stone buildings and a newer building.


the Scottish square and across it - the Scottish Hotel

the Scottish hotel from the adjacent side street .

The  St.Andrew church of Scotland

The contrast between old and new is seen quite clearly in the the preserved  remains of the old, ottoman  Watch Tower which stands in the modern street Habanim, the heart of the city. (See in the below pictures, the effect of the sky on the colour of the stones).

                            dark  remains of the old Watch Tower (cloudy sky)                                                                                                                                                                       
the defensive side of the Watch Tower   (bright sky)      

Situated on the promenade ,vis-a-vis the water level indicator, is the Pilgrims'  Residence hotel. Beautiful building with great views of the Lake from its balcony!


small hotel with great balcony and restaurant


the sign at the top reads: Pilgrims'  Residence

Also on the seafront promenade, in an historic renovated building, overlooking the Lake, is the charming hotel Shirat Hayam (The Song of the Sea).



Shirat Hayam hotel


* the picture in the header was taken at the small archeological park.

36 comments:

  1. I just love old structures...we have so few in Canada. Very neat place, so full of history

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    1. I sometimes think I should have studied geology, archeology , things like that. These subjects fascinate me.

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  2. Happy Christmas Duta...have a wonderful time x

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  3. They are historical, but Penang, a small state in Malaysia, looks very different from Tiberias.

    I like both of them.

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    1. You've made me google it. Well, Penang is an island, a state; Tiberias is a town. The two places are different in size, but both have many points of interest.

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  4. Interesting place to visit, I am a big fan of hot springs!

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    1. Strange as it may seem, I used to like hot springs, spas, massages when I was younger. Now, when my body really needs that, for some reason I keep away from it.

      Anyway, the hot springs of Tiberias and of the adjacent Hamat Hagader are very popular.

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  5. An interesting read, Duta, and wishing you all the best for Christmas and the New Year.

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    1. Thank you Vera. Glad you find my post an interesting read.
      Happy Holydays to you too!

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  6. hmm i don't know if my comment posted or not!

    but have a happy holiday!!
    krystal
    avillagetown.com

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    1. Hi, Krystal

      Good Luck with your lovely web site!
      Happy Holidays to you and yours!

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  7. Thanks for taking us along to see Tiberius. This is my first time to visit there, through your post:). The stone buildings, palm trees, and hot springs seem to go together in such a nice scale and looks like a special place to be able to visit. Blessings and happy holidays!

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    1. You summed it up well, Shayndel.
      The town was named in honor of the roman emperor Tiberius. I noticed however, that the english name of what we call in hebrew Tveryia, is spelled with an 'a' not an 'u'. I suppose there's a reason. I don't know; haven't given much thought to it.
      Manny Thanks and Blessings to you!

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  8. A very interesting and intriguing tour of Tiberias, Duta. I get excited, too, when I see that old and new can co-exist, whether it's regarding structures, philosophies, etc. There is so much to visit in your neck of the woods, and your tours make armchair traveling very entertaining and convenient!

    Happy holidays; wishing you the very best in the new year!

    Poppy

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    1. Indeed, old and new co-exist quite well. I've seen this co-existence also in Heraklion, the capital of the beautiful island of Crete where you now live.

      All the best to you in the upcoming year!

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  9. Happy after holidays to you, Duta. I have spent some time catching up on blog posts and have enjoyed the photos in your recent ones. Thanks also for your comments on some of my recent blog posts. Unfortunately, I have not been commenting on fellow bloggers post in recent weeks due to recent travels, but hope to return by next week.

    We were "on the road" for 3 weeks from after Thanksgiving till the week before Christmas. It wasn't exactly a vacation, but more of an extended road trip that included checking the VA house and getting some minor repairs completed, then learning the closing date would not happen aa expected (extension requested). We did see friends in DC and attended the USAF band holiday concert. We also went to our granddaughter's 1st birthday party in PA.

    I hope that the coming new year holds wonderful surprises in store (all good).

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    1. Glad you've enjoyed my photos.
      Hope you've had some rest after a 3-weeks travel, and will soon be back to routine.

      Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  10. Hello DUTA,

    I always enjoy your posts and the detailed information about your excellent images. I feel I'm able to tour with you from my computer screen.

    Thank you for sharing with us.

    Happy 2018. I pray for all good things for you and for Israel.

    Hugs from Cincinnati, USA,
    Lois

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    1. Thanks Lois for stopping by. I'm glad you've enjoyed my posts and images, and that you somehow felt taking part in my tour.

      Happy Holidays, and a wonderful 2018 year to you and your family!

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  11. Your posts and photos are always so interesting, DUTA....I love visiting...thank you. :)

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  12. Hi Lee,

    Thank you for your kind words. I feel flattered.
    Happy New Year to you! May year 2018 be a year of perfect health, prosperity and peace!

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  13. Nice to see that the old structures are being preserved & renovated to retain the ethnic and ancient look.Yes there is always a certain amount of mystery associated with these structures. Each will have its own story to tell.

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    1. The thing is preservation and restoration are not done often enough and well enough.
      Each old house , has indeed a story to tell...

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  14. Thanks for sharing all that you do, DUTA. It's amazing and so interesting, to see these sites and learn their history from your well-written posts. Keep traveling and sharing!

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    1. Hi Bica,
      Glad you've stopped by to read my post and a leave your kind comment.
      Hope to be able to keep traveling and writing in my little blog in the year to come.
      Happy New Year to you!

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  15. Interesting with the Scottish doctor and hotel. Old buildings are intriguing for sure and it's great when they are preserved. Tiberias would be a great place to visit. Love those palm trees! Happy 2018!

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    1. Yes, Pam, the history of the Scottish hotel involving the young doctor , is very interesting. If you'll find the time, do google it; you won't regret it.
      Happy 2018 to you too!

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  16. I love to see the places you visit.

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  17. And my iPad froze....I like the tower ruins the best. The small hotel is pretty, all buildings are interesting

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    1. Thank you, Kim.
      The watchtower ruins are central and eye-catching. The buildings and remnants displayed in my post are only part out of many interesting structures in the town of Tiberias.

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  18. I love how you always share with us old sites that have a history behind them. It was interesting hearing about the doctor who spent his life healing people in the Holy Land. You travel to special places with character, and I can see why you named your blog what you did.

    Although I'm taking a break from posting for awhile, you can always come by and visit when the girls post, and I will continue to visit your charming blog as well.

    Happy New Year, Duta.

    ~Sheri

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  19. The truth is the blog title kind of limits me, as sometimes I wish to write about random topics.
    May 2018 be the best year ever for you! Enjoy your much deserved break!

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  20. What a beautiful place! It reminds me very much of a coastal town about two hours from me named Santa Barbara. Love the clock tower and the way it looks with different skies. Glad you enjoyed your visit!

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    1. I loved it "at first sight". Actually it's a watchtower with tiny windows to see the 'enemy' approaching the city.

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  21. This is so interesting. I like traveling virtually with poeple! My daughter just came back from Taipei!

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