Tabgha
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is a significant biblical site on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel, located approximately 3 kilometers south-west of Capernaum. Its name is an Arabic mispronunciation of the Greek Heptapegon, meaning "seven springs," referring to the warm, sulfurous springs that attract fish to the area.
As of 2026, Tabgha remains a major pilgrimage destination featuring several key landmarks:
- Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish: This Roman Catholic church is traditionally believed to be the site where Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. It is famous for its 5th-century mosaic floor, which includes a well-known depiction of a basket of bread flanked by two fish. The modern church, completed in 1982 and administered by the Benedictine Order, is built over the remains of earlier 4th and 5th-century churches.
- Church of the Primacy of St. Peter: Located directly on the shoreline, this Franciscan church commemorates the third appearance of Jesus to his disciples after his resurrection. It contains the Mensa Christi ("Table of Christ"), a large limestone rock where tradition says Jesus prepared breakfast for his disciples and commissioned Peter to "feed my sheep".
- Benedictine Monastery of Tabgha: A serene community that maintains the Church of the Multiplication. While it suffered significant damage in a 2015 arson attack, the famous mosaics were unharmed, and the site has since been restored.
- Natural Features: The area is known for its lush vegetation and warm springs, such as Ein Ayub (Job's Spring), which features a small waterfall frequented by locals and pilgrims.
Visitors often pair a trip to Tabgha with the nearby Mount of Beatitudes and Capernaum as part of the "Jesus Trail".