The Mount of Beatitudes is the traditional site where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, the most famous sermon in history. “Blessed are the poor in spirit… Blessed are the meek… Blessed are the peacemakers…” The words, recorded in Matthew 5-7, have shaped Christian ethics for two thousand years, and the hilltop where they were spoken overlooks the Sea of Galilee with a serenity that matches their message.
The Church
The Church of the Beatitudes, built in 1938 and designed by Antonio Barluzzi, is an octagonal chapel surrounded by gardens, representing the eight Beatitudes. The church is simple, elegant, and positioned to frame the lake through its windows and colonnades. The gardens, maintained by Franciscan sisters, are among the most beautiful in the Galilee, with bougainvillea, palms, and carefully tended flowerbeds.
The Setting
The hilltop is one of the most peaceful places in the Galilee. The view encompasses the lake, Capernaum on the shore below, and the Golan Heights rising to the east. It is easy to imagine a crowd gathered on this hillside, listening to words that would change the world.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
The Mount of Beatitudes is essential for Christian pilgrims. Hoshen Tours pairs it with Capernaum, Tabgha, and the other Gospel sites around the lake.