4 Holy Sites You Should Put In Your Israel Itinerary To Visit

Israel is home to many holy sites - Church of Nativity, Golgotha, Mount Hermon are just some of the vast number. Each year, visitors from all over the world come to see these sites. But, did you know that there are some lesser known ones that are just as amazing?

4 Lesser-Known Holy Sites Visitors Should Consider Checking Out During Their Travels

Emmaus Nicopolis

It's believed that Jesus came to the village of Emmaus after he had been killed and resurrected from his grave. In the Bible's New Testament, two disciples had met Jesus on the road leading to Emmaus after his Resurrection. Upon their arrival to the village, the two disciples broke bread with the Savior before they realized the man before them was Jesus. There is a small museum in Emmaus that allows people to check out the ancient ossuaries and mosaic.

Jesus Boat Museum

A recently discovered fishing boat going back to 1 AD. Is the Jesus Boat, providing people with a clue of how fishing boats may have appeared during Jesus' time on Earth. It may even be the same kind of boat Jesus and his disciples used when they sailed to the Sea of Galilee. The Jesus Boat that was found may or may not be the one that Jesus or his disciples used, but it's a fascinating artifact that gives life to many of the Bible's Gospel stories.

The Milk Grotto

According to tradition, the Holy Family found refuse at the Milk Grotto before leaving for Egypt to escape at a time now known as "Slaughter of the Innocents". Legend has it that a single drip of milk dropped to the ground while baby Jesus was being nursed by the Virgin Mary. The ground then turned white. The Milk Grotto is comprised of soft white rock, with the church being built sometime in the 5th century. Both Christians and Muslims think scrapings seen on the stones within the grotto better a mother's milk quality and increases a woman's fertility.

Pool Of Siloam

In John 9, there is a reference to the Pool of Siloam as a holy site. This is the location in which Jesus used mud to cure a blind man, washing him with it. Since the reference was made, many religions see the Pool of Siloam has being a very holy site. The Jews use the pool's water to carry out purification rituals during the Feast of Tabernacles. Interesting Note: Recent diggings regarding the current pool's location may actually be two meters away from the actual spot of the Pool of Siloam. The Holy Site is situated in one of Jerusalem's low points, and each winter would be filled with mud and debris until it was covered entirely. This could be why early Byzantine pilgrims believed the adjacent pool was the Pool of Siloam. If you're traveling the Holy Land, these are just four of the many sites you should consider visiting during your trip. In fact, there are so many Holy Sites that a week isn't long enough to see everything the area has to offer.

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