Kursi National Park

Kursi National Park is an archaeological site in Northern Israel featuring the captivating ruins of a Byzantine monastery. This monastery is identified by tradition as the site of Jesus’ “Miracle of the Swine”, in which Jesus is said to have performed an exorcism on a man possessed by demons. The demons then entered a herd of swine, which ran into the lake and drowned themselves. Kursi is located on the picturesque shore of the Sea of Galilee. Additionally, the site takes its name from the town mentioned by the same name in both the Old and New Testaments.

History of the Park

In December 2015, Haifa University conducted excavations at the site and unearthed a marble slab carved with Hebrew text, indicating that the area had been a Judeo-Christian settlement as early as 1,600 years ago. “Archaeologists found the inscription at the entrance to an inner room of a building that likely served as a synagogue. The inscribed slab confirms the Jewish roots of the settlement-something never previously verified. So far, no one has discovered a comparable artifact anywhere else in Israel. As part of the national park, an ancient breakwater and its accompanying harbor and pier, uncovered in the 1960s, offer further insight into the site’s history.

Directions

Car: Kursi is situated off Road 92 along the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, north of Ein Gev. Few people live in the area, so most regular bus routes don’t pass through it.

Buses: It is possible to get to Kursi National Park via public transport, although it is not the simplest or most common route. Bus numbers 836 and 825 travel through the Galilee from Tel Aviv Central Bus Station to Tiberias. You can then take bus line 51 from Tiberias’ central station to Kursi.

Tours to Kursi

Arguably, the best and easiest way to explore Kursi is with a tour. Getting to Kursi on your own can be complicated and confusing due to its remote location. While our Galilee, Nazareth, River Jordan, and More Tour doesn’t stop at Kursi itself, we handle all your travel arrangements to other highlights in the area, guided by a knowledgeable, licensed expert who brings the region’s history and scenery to life.

Religious Sites at Kursi

The Byzantine monastery complex at Kursi is the largest in Israel. A defensive stone wall with a watchtower enclosed the monastery, which was built in the 5th century. At the center stood a large church and courtyard. Two rows of stone columns divided the church, forming a nave and two side aisles.

In addition to living quarters for the monks, archaeologists have uncovered a guesthouse and bath complex for pilgrims. In 2002, excavations under the direction of the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies revealed an extensive 100 square meter bath complex in the northern part of the site, showcasing both cold and hot pools- something very unique to this time period.

Visiting Kursi

Summer Opening Hours:
Sunday-Thursday & Saturday: 17:00 - 08:00
Friday & holiday eves: 16:00 - 08:00

Winter Opening Hours:
Sunday-Thursday & Saturday: 16:00 - 08:00
Friday & holiday eves: 15:00 - 08:00

To purchase your tickets, check out the official Kursi National Park website. Ultimately, a visit to this architectural wonder, showcasing Israel’s fascinating Byzantine legacy, will be a perfect addition to your trip. If you’re eager to explore other remarkable landmarks in Israel, like the Western Wall and the Dead Sea, join one of our incredible Israel Package Tours. For those traveling on a budget, we also offer several seamless Israel Budget Package Tours. Opting for a package tour eliminates the stress of planning everything yourself since we organize all your inclusive transfers, exciting activities, expert tour guides, and comfortable hotels while you fully enjoy discovering all of Israel’s extraordinary highlights.

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