Mosaic Floor At Sepphoris Synagogue

Zippori zodiac mosaic floor.

Mosaic floor at sepphoris synagogue.

The floor of the beth alpha synagogue built during the reign of justinian i 518 527 ce also features elaborate nave mosaics. The synagogue was graced with a richly colored mosaic floor featuring a plethora of jewish symbols biblical scenes and dedicatory inscriptions in aramaic and greek. Famous mosaic is called the mona lisa of the galilee. The sepphoris synagogue mosaic is remarkable in several respects.

Sepphoris tzippori galilee synagogue churches and mosaics. Following the bar kokhba revolt of 132 135 sepphoris was one of the galilean centers where rabbinical families from judea relocated. Synagogue mosaic floor sephhoris. Mosaic floor at sepphoris synagogue.

Remains of a synagogue dated to the first half of the fifth century were discovered on the northern side of town. This mosaic and other synagogue remains are considered among the most important and exciting finds in jewish art since the discovery of the dura europos synagogue in syria seventy. Sepphoris the ornament of all galilee. In the 7th century the town was conquered by the arab rashidun armies during the muslim conquest of the levant.

The holy ark the zodiac and the story isaac s sacrifice. The mosaic covering the floor of the ancient sepphoris synagogue was uncovered in 1993 by a construction crew breaking ground on a parking lot. Demonstrating an impressive mixing of cultures the central aisle is decorated with jewish and secular images. A 44 by 15 foot carpet that covered the floor of a fifth to seventh century c e.

The artistic highlight of sepphoris is the elaborate floor of an elegant roman villa. Each of its three panels depicts a different scene. Dozens of amazing well preserved colorful mosaics with holyland animals and plants images biblical scenes and view. Excavations have uncovered only one synagogue in sepphoris which dates to the fifth century ce.

It is one of a handful of illustrated synagogue mosaics uncovered in israel. This fifth century mosaic is a depiction of the zodiac wheel. Published april 28. Excavations at sepphoris have uncovered streets houses public buildings bathhouses a market two churches a synagogue a roman theatre aqueducts a huge elongated water reservoir 260 metres long and more than 40 mosaic floors.