Mount Tabor is where ancient Christian traditions place the miracle of the Transfiguration of Christ. Rising suddenly 1,500 feet (450m) above the Biblical Plain of Esdraelon, Tabor has been ascribed with sacred quality since the time of the Phoenicians. Known also as the Holy Mountain, the Biblical Psalmist called on it and Mount Hermon to witness the glory of the Lord, “Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name” Psalm 89:12.
In the 4th century the first Basilica of the Transfiguration was erected at the summit, and five hundred years later it hosted four churches, a bishopric and at least 18 monks. The Crusaders enlarged the Basilica and also built an Abbey with fortified walls to withstand Moslem attacks Eventually however, all of Tabor’s churches were destroyed.
The present Basilica was raised in 1924. It was designed in a grand medieval style, befitting the sanctity of its situation that was described in these words, “Tabor rises up to Heaven like an altar that the Creator built to himself”. Indeed, when you look out upon the Holy Land from Mount Tabor you can feel the panorama of history and faith stretched out before you.
This page is part of the book The Holy Land of Jesus
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