Alex's notes on Mount Beatitudes: On our first day out we traveled about six miles north to the traditional site on the Sea of Galilee, believed to be the location or setting for the Gospel story of the Sermon on the Mount or the Beatitudes as they are known. A Church was built on this location by the Italians in 1937. The Church is positioned on the top of the hill overlooking the Sea, but is probably not the actual place of Christ’s teaching. For one, he probably taught from the bottom of the hill, talking up to the crowds above. Think about any arena or amphitheater. The stage is at the bottom, and the crowd is seated above.