Back in 2018, I visited a great many sites in the Galilee region of Israel. While many were just the usual pilgrimage sites, I intended to visit a few destinations a bit off the beaten track. One of which was the ancient ruins of the town and synagogue of Korazim. It ended up being one of my favorite little places in Israel.

Korazim is not on the normal tourist circuit by the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The site lies in the hills above Capernaum and Tabgha, about a 15 minute drive away. I took private transport to get there, and as we approached, the basalt rocks were especially eye-catching. The contrast between the green sloping fields and the black outcroppings was strangely beautiful, and along with the stormy weather and lack of people, made for a unique aura even before entering. The parking lot was empty aside from a couple of other private cars. A short walk down the trail would show what all that black rock came to be used for: construction. Every block of the ancient town, said to date from the 4th century CE, was made of the same rock that protrudes from the ground all around.

While only foundations of most buildings remain, the old synagogue still stands, albeit not without damage. Many intricate basalt carvings used to decorate the building now lie on the floor or on pedestals, including the pediment of the facade. The structure still, however, forms an enclosed space, and on that lonely stormy afternoon, one could feel the solemnity of the venue, in contrast to crowded Capernaum which we visited later that day. The small range and span of the ruins also gave a more intimate, small-town feel that I greatly enjoyed. 

Since Capernaum is greatly covered by reviews on this site and other serial sites, I will no longer cover it here, as there is nothing to add other than my opinion of it being rather crowded and the modern church being rather sad and inappropriate. Although I do think the synagogue in Capernaum is probably more impressive, it doesn't give off the same tranquil, mysterious, and holy aura that Korazim does. As for the 5 other synagogues, I did not have the time to visit them in the 4 days I had in the Galilee, but if they're anything like Korazim, I think they would justify an inscription based on the preservation of the ancient synagogues that show the fusion of Roman architecture and Jewish tradition.