Tabgha (Church of the Multiplication & Primacy of St. Peter)
טבחה
Two memorial churches on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee: the famous mosaic of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and the lakeside rock where the risen Jesus appeared to Peter.
Tabgha lies on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. Two churches about 200 m apart form the core of the pilgrimage around the lake. The Church of the Multiplication, run by the German Benedictines, was rebuilt in Byzantine style in 1982. In front of its altar survives a 5th-century “loaves and fish” mosaic, one of Israel’s most famous early Christian mosaics. The Church of the Primacy of St. Peter is a small black basalt church completed in 1933. It contains a rock known as the “Table of Christ.” Tradition holds that after his resurrection, Jesus shared breakfast with his disciples here and charged Peter to “feed my sheep.” You can walk from outside the church down to the lake. Both churches are free to enter. Opening hours are short and restricted on Sunday mornings, so arrive early.
Opening hours
Church of the Multiplication approx. 08:00–17:00 (from 09:45 on Sundays); Church of the Primacy of Peter approx. 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Mount of Beatitudes
- Capernaum
- Sea of Galilee Boat Ride & Ancient Galilee Boat (Ginosar)
- Magdala
- Mount Arbel National Park
- Tiberias Old City & Promenade
- Safed (Tzfat) Old City
- Kursi National Park