Zippori…..Those whom we discover guesta, visit and understand what the Roman cities throughout and wide of what was its vast territory, We looked at many times in the lugger we visited, the existence of vestiges that tell us that the Empire Y Zippori It is a good opportunity to venture in this goal.
Located on a hill 290 meters above sea level, to some 50 kilometers from Galilee sea And just 12 kilometers Nazareth, he Zippori National Park O Sepphori, As we can find it written, It opens to our visit to show us a great sample of what was a Roman city, Its main buildings and streets ordered according to the traditional Roman trace, in which its two main axes, Cardo, Earth's axis -Norte -Sur, Y Decumanos, Celeste Axis-East-Eeste, They can distinguish perfectly. Also being of extraordinary value the mosaics that pave some of what were public buildings, temples or homes.
The name of the city is not clearly established. It was the city of Cesar and the god Zeus, called by the Romans "Diocaesarea". Renamed in Crusades with the name "Le Saphorie". When the Arabs were established in this city, They kept that name by calling her Saffuriyeh. There are vestiges that indicate that there is a city here in previous periods, The Romans conquer it in the year 63 AC under order of pompeya. At 55 aC, The Governor of Syria, establishes it as Capital of Galilee. In times of Herod, he continues to be the capital of Galilee and after his death, In the 4Ac anus the city was taken by the Jews to the Romans who would then set the city on fire and then be ruled by Herod's son who reconstructs and fortifies it. The city suffered different revolts at different times. At the beginning of the year 200DC the city returns to the Jews, The teacher par excellence Yehudah Hanasi, who wrote the Mishnah -Jewish laws -, He moves to the city and together with the entire Sanhedrin. In the city a large amount of synagogues are consolidated and the number of places of study also increases.
At the beginning of the fourth century the Byzantine period also in the city, When the Constantine emperor establishes the Catholic religion in the Roman Empire. Churches begin to be founded.
In the middle of the fourth century the city is destroyed almost entirely by an earthquake, But it was rebuilt in a short time. Even in the Byzantine period, The city blooms again and the number of churches increases. The population remains mostly Jewish. Later with the Arab domain, Zippori begins to decline. In times of the Crusades it was Ciudad Fortaleza. New revolts followed. In the 18th century, Being Arab City, It was fortified by the Arabic councilor of Galilee, who also restored his strong. Its population also suffered the avatars of the War of Independence in 1948.
In 1992 is open to the public as Zippori National Park.
Like every town that provides for growth, This city is established near a river, in an area of fertile lands that will guarantee good crops and a successful development of it. The ruins found show that it has been a flourishing city.
It is a complete city that has the necessary infrastructure for its supply as well as public and recreational buildings. Among the buildings that the city had, In addition to homes, We find a theater, bathrooms, temples, mercado, a fort and a church that could probably belong to the time of the crusades.
The developed infrastructure makes us think that it was an important city, or at least it was thought and planned considering great development. In addition to the aqueduct systems that the city had, There is a huge water reservoir that includes an important aqueduct excavated in the rock, which today impresses in an incredible tour, One of the most impressive vestiges that this city has left along with the wonderful mosaics and the two main streets, city axes.
Buildings, monuments and points of interest that today can be visited in the park:
At the tank
El Pileton de Mashad
The Nile House
The West Church and Orpheus House
Public buildings
Roman monument
Dionisio's house
Strong
Roman Theater
Housing
Byzantine house
The Orpheus House
Synagogue
At the tank: It is the first point of interest that can be visited when entering the park, Although its route can also be done at the end of the excursion. It is located to 1500 meters from the center of the city of Zippori. This water reservoir served to supply the city and has its beginning in the springs of the Nazareth mountains near the cities of Mashad and Reineh. Water was driven to the city through two aqueducts, one excavated in the rock, Mashad's and the other built, Reineh's. With their 260 meters in length, a width that varies between 2 Y 4 meters and 10 tall, The cistern has a capacity of more than 4000 m3 of water. From the cistern valve, The water arrives in the city through a tunnel of 230 meters in length, excavated in the rock.
El Pileton de Mashad: with dimensions of 15 by 20 meters and a depth of 2,5 m, It also served to supply water to the city while being probably used as a pool in the warmest seasons.
The Nile House: located east of thistle, It consists of three wings connected by corridors. In his floor we can appreciate wonderful mosaics with different topics such as human figures, plant, Geometric and animals figures, Greek inscriptions and scenes of various celebrations related to the Nile, Egypt.
The West Church and Orpheus House: This church was built on the ruins of the Roman -era Orpheus house. The temple was erected towards the beginning of the sixth century DC. The interior space is divided into two parts. On one of the longitudinal sides of the Church, connecting it with the decumanos, An open area covered with mosaics is located. The Orpheus House, In the center of the building, built in the third century DC, It has several rooms whose alone is composed of mosaic color with geometric figures, On the other hand, those of the main hall, They describe goldsmith scenes in their daily life. Having been affected by the earthquake of the year 363, new mosaics were placed in their floors.
Public building: It is located northwest of the crossing of the main axes of the city. A space of 40 by 60 meters has served as a market. Also here we can appreciate wonderful mosaics with animal and geometric figures.
Roman monument: This building of 15 by 27 meters contains a patio surrounded by columns and rooms on the south side. It has probably been a library since they are in their walls spaces as a containers niches.
Dionisio's house: It is an important building with an inner courtyard surrounded by columns on three sides. Dated in the third century and affected by the earthquake of the year 363. Inside is a house and rooms, also possible rooms that could have served as shops with facades outside. The mosaics that cover the floors of this mansion, They are truly valuable, One of the main ones is in the dining room, Includes figures representing the life of Dionisio. Here we will find the so -called "Mona Lisa de Zipori" a fantastic mosaic that represents a woman's face. A building where it is worth taking our time to enjoy both the building and its mosaics.
The fort: Built in times of the Crusades, It was then adorned, remodeled and modified in different periods with the different occupations that the city had. It also served as a school during the War of Independence in the 19th century. Today an archaeological exhibition of Zippori can also be visited there.
Roman Theater: Dates from the iidc century and has a capacity for more than 4000 viewers. You can still see the rest of what was the scene and structure. The five entries to the theater were at the same time connected by a vaulted hallway.
Housing: Housing located in the vicinity of the Fort and the theater also included a subterraine supply and constructions cistern.
Byzantine house: It is located in the vicinity of the theater. It is worth approaching this building to appreciate a splendid mosaic that covers its alone.
Synagogue: moving away from the northeast of the Byzantine house, Whatever a synagogue dated in the vdc century was discovered. Its dimensions are from 15 meters by 7 meters and the prayer area is oriented towards Jerusalem. It has a wonderful mosaic with inscriptions in Greek and in Aramaic and other mosaics with geometric figures.
Although the mosaics in the floors of most buildings that can be visited in the Zippori National Park, The whole set is of great patrimonial value. Visit each of its buildings and monuments through the tour of its main axes, Thistle and decados, that are in perfect condition, refers to those times in which the city was at its maximum splendor.
The park offers different alternatives for restoration and rest as green areas parked with infrastructure to perform pic-nics as well as restaurants and stores.
Zippori, one of the more than 60 National Park that Israel has, It gives us an excellent opportunity to understand its history, Enjoying this splendid city, Its main buildings, its streets and its mosaic splendid.
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