Basilica of the Annunciation: The upper church is the parish church for Nazareth’s Roman Catholics. The upper church has a striking cupola – ribs representing an upside down lily – symbol of Mary’s purity. Large mosaic behind the altar: Mary wearing a crown sits on a throne in the background, with Jesus and Peter in the center.

The current church was constructed over a grotto where supposedly the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive a son, Jesus. Mary supposedly lived there. The grotto is in the lower church. The Basilica of the Annunciation is the largest church in the Middle East. Consecrated in the 1960’s. The first church built on this spot was in the 4th Century c.e. by Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine.

Nazareth has the largest Arab community (80,000) outside of Jerusalem –it’s 60% Muslim and the rest Christian.