Zippori National Park

About

Founded around the 1st century BC, Zippori was the capital of Galilee. Rather than joining in the revolt against rome in 66 CE, the city opened its gates to the Romans, and was thus spared destruction. Having allied itself with the empire, it thrived as both the center of Jewish spiritual life in Israel, where Jews and pagans lived harmoniously. Having been inhabited until the 20th century, the Zippori National Park exhibits architecture from Hellenistic,Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Crusader, Arabic, and Ottoman periods. What the site is best known for, however, are its mosaics. The most famous is the “Mona Lisa of the Galilee”, which adorns the floor of a late-Roman era home. Like its namesake painting, the eyes follow you everywhere!