THE MOUNT OF BEATITUDES IS ON THE NORTHWESTERN SHORE OF THE SEA OF GALILEE A FEW KILOMETERS NORTH OF TIBERIAS ISRAEL.

ACCORDING TO TRADITION, JESSUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLE THE SERMON OF THE MOUNT WHICH BEGINS WITH THE WORDS "BLESSED ARE" HENCE THE NAME OF BEATITUDE WHICH MEANS "BLESSING" IN LATIN.

ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN, WHICH IS IN REALITY A TALL HILL,

ARE TWO BEAUTIFUL CHURCHES.

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THE CHURCH DESIGNED BY THE ARCHITECT ANTONIO BARLUZZI IN 1937, IN NEO-RENAISSANCE STYLE, AND BUILT OF CONTRASTING BLACK BASALT AND WHITE LIMESTONE. IT HAS ARCHED PORTICOS ON EACH OF THE FOUR SIDES.

THE ONE-STOREY BUILDING IS SURMOUNTED BY A BUTTRESSED OCTAGONAL DRUM AND DOME RISING ABOVE THE MAIN CHAPEL. THE OCTAGONAL SHAPE OF THE CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE EIGHT BEATITUDES.

THE MOSAIC FLOOR IS DECORATED WITH SYMBOLS OF THE

SEVEN VIRTUES OF MAN REFERRED TO IN THE SERMON.

THE SEA OF GALILEE CAN BE SEEN FROM THE TERRACE.

INSIDE THE CHURCH THE WALLS ARE COVERED WITH VERY BEAUTIFUL MARBLE.

WITH A LITTLE IMAGINATION YOU CAN SEE A PERSON IN THE GRAIN OF THE MARBLE.

THIS MAGNIFICENT CENTER BUILDING WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE NEW CATHOLIC MOVEMENT NEO CATECHUMENAL WAY, AS THE FIRST CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE IN ISRAEL AIMING TO BRING YOUNG SEMINARIANS FROM ALL THE WORLD TO RECEIVE THE LAST TOUCHES IN THEIR EDUCATION.

THIS LARGE BUILDDING OF 12,000 SQUARE METERS WAS OPENED IN 2004.

IT HOUSES 100 YOUNG PRIESTS FROM AL OVER THE WORLD THAT STUDY TOGETHER IN ITALIAN FOR A YEAR.

INTERIOR COURTYARD

VERY APPROPRIATE DOOR HANDLES FOR A CHURCH

NICE FOUNTAIN INSIDE THE LOBBY

WINDOW DECORATION

COLORFUL DOME LIGHTS

THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING HAS BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPING

PRESENTATION BY DAN CALISTRAT

DCALISTRAT@AOL.COM