The Basilica of the Annunciation is the main Catholic church in the Holy Land
The dome of the upper church
View of the altar
American sculpture
Australian and Mexican murals
The main gate leading to the crypt
Place of the Annunciation
View of the church from the crypt
The lattice that borders the place of the Annunciation
The Basilica of the Annunciation stands in the very heart of Nazareth, one of the largest cities in Galilee, northern Israel. According to Christian tradition, it marks the exact place where the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary, announcing the future birth of Jesus Christ.
The basilica is located in the Old City of Nazareth, surrounded by narrow oriental streets, markets, and churches of various Christian denominations. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Holy Land and a masterpiece of modern sacred architecture.
Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land
The basilica is under the care of the Franciscan Order, who have been the official guardians of the Catholic holy sites in the Holy Land since the 17th century. Administratively, it belongs to the Custody of the Holy Land, a Franciscan province directly under the Vatican. The friars conduct daily services, receive pilgrims from around the world, and maintain the sacred site with great devotion.
Architectural Complex
The current basilica was built between 1960 and 1969, designed by the Italian architect Giovanni Muzio. It is considered the largest Christian church in the Middle East.
The complex includes:
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The Lower Church (Crypt) — containing the Grotto of the Annunciation, where Mary is believed to have lived.
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The Upper Church — a spacious, light-filled sanctuary adorned with mosaics and stained glass donated by Christian communities from around the world.
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Courtyards and galleries displaying artistic depictions of the Virgin Mary in various national styles — from Japan to Poland.
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The Franciscan Monastery and service buildings adjacent to the basilica.
Nearby are other important Christian landmarks:
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The Church of St. Joseph, believed to stand on the site of Joseph’s home.
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The Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangel Gabriel, associated with an alternative tradition of the Annunciation.
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The Old Market of Nazareth, where visitors can experience the authentic atmosphere of the Middle Eastern town.
Visitor Information
Opening Hours:
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Summer: 8:00 – 18:00
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Winter: 8:00 – 17:00
(Hours may vary on Sundays and holidays due to liturgical services.)
Admission: Free of charge. Visitors are kindly asked to remain silent during services.
How to Get There:
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By car: about 2 hours from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.
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By bus: regular lines from Haifa, Tiberias, and Tel Aviv.
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On foot: walking distance from Nazareth Central Bus Station.
The basilica’s distinctive conical dome rises high above the Old City and can be seen from nearly every point in Nazareth.
A Living Symbol of Faith
The Basilica of the Annunciation is not only the spiritual heart of Nazareth but also a symbol of the Christian presence in the Holy Land. It unites ancient tradition — the veneration of Mary’s home — with a modern church built through the efforts and faith of Catholics from all over the world.
Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation
Garden at the Basilica
photo point in front of the Basilica
The main entrance to the Basilica
The Crypt of the Basilica of the Annunciation — Where Heaven Met Earth
The Crypt of the Basilica of the Annunciation marks the sacred spot where, according to ancient Christian tradition, the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary the coming birth of the Savior. Today this revered space lies beneath the modern Catholic basilica, built in the 1960s on the foundations of earlier churches.
As early as the 4th century CE, Christian pilgrims mentioned a church in Nazareth at this very site. During the Byzantine era, a larger basilica was constructed, later rebuilt by the Crusaders in the 12th century. After its destruction during the Mamluk period, the site remained neglected until the arrival of the Franciscans in the 17th century. The present-day basilica, consecrated in 1969 and designed by Italian architect Giovanni Muzio, unites modern architectural vision with the ancient spiritual layers preserved beneath.
The Grotto of the Annunciation
At the heart of the crypt lies the Grotto of the Annunciation — a small natural cave believed to be the home of Mary. This simple rock chamber has been venerated since the earliest days of Christianity. Around the grotto, archaeologists discovered Byzantine mosaics and remains of early church structures.
The grotto retains its humble, sacred atmosphere: rough stone walls, a curved ceiling, and a narrow staircase leading to the prayer area. To the left of the grotto, visitors can still see fragments of ancient mosaic flooring with geometric patterns and Greek inscriptions, dating back to the 5th–6th centuries.
A Sacred Encounter
For millions of pilgrims, the crypt is a place of divine encounter — where heaven touched earth. Here, the words of Gabriel and Mary’s humble reply, “Be it unto me according to Thy word,” take on physical form. The quiet, shadowed interior of the crypt contrasts with the sunlit upper church above, symbolizing both the mystery of the Incarnation and the light of revelation.
Today, the crypt remains a site of prayer and liturgy. The Franciscan friars, custodians of the basilica, celebrate daily masses here, especially on March 25 — the Feast of the Annunciation. Thousands of pilgrims from around the world descend into the crypt to pray before the stone altar inscribed with the Latin phrase:
Verbum caro hic factum est — “Here the Word was made flesh.”
The Upper Church of the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth is a vast, luminous sanctuary built in the 1960s above the crypt and the Grotto of the Annunciation. Designed for solemn liturgies, pilgrim masses, and great feast-day celebrations, it stands in striking contrast to the intimate atmosphere of the lower church below.
A soaring dome in the shape of a lily, the ancient symbol of the Virgin Mary’s purity, crowns the altar and rises high above the city skyline, making the basilica visible from nearly every part of Nazareth.
Art and Symbolism from Around the World
One of the most distinctive features of the upper church is its artistic decoration. Along its walls, galleries, and outer facades are mosaics and frescoes donated by Catholic communities from across the globe.
Each work portrays the Virgin Mary through the lens of local culture, reflecting the universality of her veneration and the global unity of the Church.
Among the most striking artworks are:
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Japan — Mary depicted in a traditional kimono, symbolizing grace and humility.
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Poland — The Black Madonna of Częstochowa, beloved patroness of the Polish people.
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Mexico — The Virgin of Guadalupe, a national symbol and protector of Latin America.
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Philippines — Mary surrounded by women in traditional Filipino attire.
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United States — A modern, stylized image inspired by 20th-century American art.
Other contributions came from Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Brazil, Lebanon, and many more nations. In total, the basilica houses over 40 mosaics and frescoes, turning the church into a global gallery of Marian devotion.
A Universal Message
The idea of gathering Marian images from around the world highlights the universal significance of Nazareth and the Annunciation. These mosaics testify that the mystery of the Incarnation unites Christians across nations and cultures.
Here, Mary is not only the girl of Nazareth — she is the Mother of all humanity, embodying faith, humility, and hope.
When pilgrims enter the Upper Church, they are greeted not only by its grand altar and stained-glass windows, but also by this “world assembly” of Marian icons. The experience evokes a sense of the global Church — a reminder that the Annunciation was not merely a local event, but a turning point in the history of all humankind.
Fresco Gallery in the Garden of the Renaissance Basilica
The Orthodox Church of the Archangel Gabriel – the source of the Virgin Mary
Orthodox Church of the Archangel Gabriel
Mosaic in front of the entrance to the church
The central chandelier in the church
Entrance to the church
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangel Gabriel in Nazareth is built over a sacred spring where, according to the Orthodox Christian tradition, the Archangel Gabriel first appeared to the Virgin Mary.
This moment, preceding the Annunciation described in the Gospels, makes the site one of the most revered places in Nazareth.
The earliest mention of a church here dates back to the 4th century CE. The present building was constructed in the 17th century on the ruins of Byzantine and Crusader churches. Beneath the sanctuary lies the Holy Spring of the Virgin Mary, from which, according to tradition, Mary drew water for her household.
What to See
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18th-century iconostasis adorned with ancient icons.
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Wall frescoes depicting the Annunciation and scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary.
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The Holy Spring, whose waters are considered miraculous and healing by pilgrims.
Visitor Information
Address: Gabriel Street 6089, Nazareth
Opening Hours: Daily, 7:00 – 17:00
Services: Conducted in Greek and Arabic. Russian-speaking pilgrim groups are welcomed through local pilgrimage centers.
A Living Place of Faith
This church remains a center of deep Marian devotion in the Orthodox tradition. The quiet sound of flowing water, the glow of oil lamps, and the fragrance of incense create a unique spiritual atmosphere, inviting pilgrims to pause, reflect, and draw strength from the sacred spring.
Visiting the Church of the Archangel Gabriel allows travelers to experience a different facet of Nazareth’s holiness, complementing the nearby Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation.
