One of the most significant places in the Holy Land, Mount Tabor has a history of importance long before Christianity. Due to its position along major trade routes, it was fought over by various civilizations.
It is an important site for Jews as well as Christians. For Christians, of course, this is recognized as the place that Christ was transfigured in the presence of Peter, John and James (Matthew 17: 1-8; Luke 9: 28-36; Mark 9:2-8) and was revealed his identity as the son of God and the second person of the Trinity. We celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6.
By the 6th Century several Christian churches occupied this spot, later to be destroyed by the Persians, then rebuilt in the 11th Century by the Crusaders, then destroyed again during the Muslim conquest of 1187.
The Church you see today, the Church of the Transfiguration, is fairly recent and was built by the Franciscans in 1924. In size it is one of the largest in the Holy Land.
In addition to the Church itself, the view from the top overlooking the valley is magnificent. There is also an Orthodox church at the top as well, but not usually open to the public.
Holy Land Bible Tours.