Mary's Well in Nazareth

Nazareth in Israel is one of the holiest cities in the world among Christians as it is the thought to be the home of Christ for most of the time of his life. The holy city of Nazareth is also revered for the amicable harmony with which Muslims and Christians live here side by side. Situated in the hilly region of Galilee, Northern Israel the city of Nazareth treasures some archaeological remnants from the time of Jesus. Mary's Well, Nazareth is one major site among the tourist attractions in Israel due to its religious and archaeological significance.

Mary's Well in Nazareth has remained the sole source of water in the city of Nazareth since the Byzantine times. The well is located in the downtown of the city of Nazareth. It is believed that this is the site where Mary received the news from angel Gabriel that she would give birth to Jesus. But, there is a dispute between the Greek Orthodox people and the Catholics over the actual site of Annunciation. Greek orthodox believed that Mary's well is the site of Annunciation and they built St. Gabriel's Church over the spring. But in accordance to the Catholic belief, the Annunciation took place somewhere near the center of the city of Nazareth, and the Basilica of Annunciation was made by them on that site.

A few minutes driving would take the tourist from the main city hub to the downtown. Take a short stroll there visiting the well and St. Gabriel's Church A natural spring gushing out of the nearby mountain is the source of the water of the well. The well now a modern trough is joined with the spring through an underground pipe, which is covered by a glass lid. The well made of old white stones and therefore has an immaculate beauty. The canals beneath the structure of the well are made out of huge white stone blocks and have existed from the Byzantine times. In the ground level of the church, there is a gentle flow of water, named as Mary's spring. The structure of the church is impressive and the ambiance within is one of calmness and contentment, holiness and spirituality.

The water of Mary's Well at Nazareth is considered to be holy and life-giving, which could purify the mind of the mortals and elevate their soul. The place is therefore a must in the itinerary of the tourists visiting the holy city of Nazareth, Israel.