Hamat Tiberias National Park | Tiberias

Hamat Tiberias National Park - View Large Image

Information
Landmark: Hamat Tiberias National Park
City: Tiberias
Country: Israel
Continent: Asia

Hamat Tiberias National Park, Tiberias, Israel, Asia

Hamat Tiberias National Park is an archaeological site located on the southern shore of the Sea of Galilee, preserving the remains of the ancient city of Hammath. The site is primarily known for its seventeen natural thermo-mineral springs and a succession of ancient synagogues featuring some of the most intricate mosaics in the region.

Visual Characteristics

The park is centered around the excavated ruins of the Severus Synagogue, which is housed under a protective modern structure. The interior features a well-preserved 4th-century mosaic floor composed of colorful stone tesserae depicting a zodiac wheel, the sun god Helios, and Jewish ritual objects. The surrounding landscape consists of basalt rock foundations, stone water channels, and an 18th-century Ottoman bathhouse (hamam) built of white and gray masonry. Steam is often visible rising from the open stone conduits that transport hot mineral water across the site.

Location & Access Logistics

The park is situated on Route 90, approximately 3km south of the Tiberias city center. Access is via the main coastal road running along the Sea of Galilee. A dedicated paved parking lot is available at the entrance, shared with the nearby Tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes. Public transport access is provided by Egged bus lines 5, 28, and 31 from the Tiberias Central Bus Station, with stops located within 100 meters of the park gates.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Hammath was a distinct city from Tiberias during the Roman and Byzantine periods, celebrated for its medicinal springs. The site sits directly atop the Syrian-African Rift, where mineral-rich water emerges from a depth of 2,000 meters at a constant temperature of 60°C. The archaeological layers reveal three distinct synagogues built atop one another between the 3rd and 8th centuries. The standing Ottoman bathhouse was commissioned in 1780 by Jezzar Pasha to serve pilgrims and travelers.

Key Highlights & Activities

The central activity is the observation of the Severus Synagogue mosaics, which are among the earliest examples of zodiac iconography in a Jewish context. Visitors can wade in three modern shallow pools filled with regulated thermo-mineral water of varying temperatures. A self-guided tour of the Suleiman Hamam museum explains the historical bathing rituals of the Ottoman era. Photography of the ancient ruins against the backdrop of the Sea of Galilee is a primary interest for visitors.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The park features a visitor center with a ticket office and a small shop selling local guides and bottled water. Public restrooms and changing rooms for the wading pools are located on-site. The area is equipped with 5G cellular coverage. Shaded seating is provided by wooden pergolas and stone pavilions near the pools. There are no food vendors inside the park, but several hotels and restaurants are located within 500 meters.

Best Time to Visit

The park is open Sunday through Thursday from 08:00 to 16:00, with shorter hours on Fridays. The optimal time for photography is during the early morning (08:00–10:00) when the sun rises over the Golan Heights, illuminating the mosaics and the lake. Spring and winter are the most comfortable seasons for using the hot pools; summer temperatures in the Jordan Rift Valley frequently exceed 38°C.

Facts & Legends

According to Jewish tradition, the hot springs of Hamat Tiberias were created during the Great Flood and remained hot as a reminder of the cataclysm. Another local legend claims the springs are heated by demons controlled by King Solomon; because the demons are blind and deaf, they continue to stoke the fires, unaware that the King has long since passed.