St. Joseph's Church, Nazareth (must see)

Saint Joseph's Church is believed to be located at the site where Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, once had his home and carpentry workshop. The church is closely associated with the history of the Holy Family, as it is believed to have been the residence of Joseph and, subsequently, the home of Mary after their marriage. This sacred space is alternatively known as the Church of Nutrition and the Church of Joseph's Carpentry.

Saint Joseph's Church is part of the same complex as the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Franciscan convent Terra-Santa. The courtyard surrounding the church showcases architectural artifacts uncovered during excavations, providing glimpses into the historical layers of the site.

The present-day church, constructed in 1914, stands on the remnants of a Crusader Church, which, in turn, was built on a series of caves. These caves likely served as storage spaces during Biblical times and possibly housed Joseph's carpentry workshop. Visitors can explore the crypt beneath the church, accessible by a stairway, offering a view of the caves through a grille in the floor.

The church's interior features stained glass windows and paintings depicting various scenes involving Joseph, such as his wedding to Mary, scenes of familial moments, and Joseph showing Jesus the art of carpentry. Notably, the Dream of Joseph is also portrayed, adding a spiritual dimension to the artistic representation.

A stairway further descends to a crypt, revealing a pool or basin with a black and white mosaic floor. This pool, believed to date back to the 1st century AD, is thought to have served as a baptistery. The mosaic floor depicts a ladder, symbolizing the spiritual ascent of new converts to Christianity. The discovery of these ancient elements suggests that Christians may have gathered at this site for worship even before the town had official churches, indicating a rich history of Christian presence in the region.