Mount of Beatitudes

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Mount of Beatitudes is a hill in northern Israel on the Korazim Plateau. It is traditionally the place where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. The site lies on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and the ancient village of Kinneret (also known as Ginosar or Gennesaret). The hill rises about 25 meters below sea level and about 200 meters above the Sea of Galilee, making it one of the lowest summits in the world. It has been a holy site for about 1,600 years and is also known as Mount Eremos, near Tabgha. Some scholars have suggested other possible locations for the Sermon, such as Mount Arbel or the Horns of Hattin. A Byzantine church was built lower on the slope in the 4th century and used until the 7th century; remains of a cistern and a monastery can still be seen. The current Roman Catholic Franciscan chapel was built in 1937–38, based on plans by Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi. Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass there in March 2000. The Jesus Trail pilgrimage route connects the Mount of Beatitudes with other sites tied to Jesus’ life.