Nazareth Village is situated on a historic 6-hectare plot of land that has remained untouched since New Testament times. Located on the grounds of the Nazareth Hospital, established in 1906 by what is now the Nazareth Trust, the hillside was preserved for nearly 90 years before archaeological excavations began to reveal the treasures hidden below the surface. Led by experts from the Jerusalem-based University of the Holy Land, these excavations uncovered a remarkably preserved site that includes a 2,000-year-old wine press cut into the bedrock, where grapes were trod and the juice collected. The remains of a vineyard, watchtowers, terraces, a spring-fed irrigation system, and stone quarries tell the story of a working farm area just outside the original center of ancient Nazareth. Pottery from as far back as the Early Bronze Age — more than 2,000 years before Christ — was also discovered on site.
Since its inception, the purpose of Nazareth Village has been to show pilgrims the Nazareth Jesus knew and deliver some of His teachings within their original context. To achieve this, the planners of Nazareth Village conducted archaeological digs and consulted experts who could help peel back the 20 centuries of time, distance, and culture that have often dulled and distorted our understandings. This archaeological section is possible thanks to the writings and photos of the late Mark M. Goodman, who served as Nazareth Village’s Architectural Reconstructionist. Nazareth Village is deeply indebted to Mr. Goodman for his tireless effort and professionalism throughout the reconstruction process. His persistence and vision, along with his infectious personality, played a significant part in turning these dusty stones into a living reality.
Nazareth Village offers a unique synthesis of historical, archaeological, and ethno-archaeological science applied towards reconstructing a First Century Village upon some of the last natural landscape within the city of Nazareth. With a dedicated staff team and a vital volunteer program, the village continues to offer a meaningful social forum for people of different backgrounds to work, educate, and share in something special, while preserving an ancient landscape for future generations to learn from and enjoy. The reconstruction of Nazareth Village — from archaeological research and excavation to building the village itself — is an ongoing process. We look forward to sharing this story as it unfolds.