The Mount of the Beatitudes is usually considered to be the most strikingly beautiful and serene of the Christian holy places in the country. Additionally, this site has managed to escape much of the commercialism of modern Israel. Tradition places three of the New Testament's most significant episodes here: the Sermon on the Mount, the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and Jesus' post-Resurrection appearance where he conferred the leadership of the church on Peter.

Tabgha is an Arab translation of the Greek name Heptapegon (Seven Springs), and it has been given to the small valley that lies south of the main road and 12 km north of Tiberias. A side road branches off to the right towards the lake and leads through the valley and past Capernaum to continue the circuit of water, while the main road continues north towards Rosh Pina.

The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes is a pleasant complex (which is also known as the Church of the Heptapegon) and belongs to the German Benedictine Order. It includes an adjacent monastery and pilgrims' hospice as well as the church. The current church building dates back to 1936 and the monastery to 1956. However, they're both constructed on the site of a 5^th century Byzantine church whose well-preserved mosaic floor is probably the most beautiful in the country. The larger mosaic reveals a variety of flora and fauna, nearly all of which could have been found nearby at the time the mosaic was laid. The mosaic immediately in front of the altar shows two fish beside a basket of loaves.

As the name implies, the churches were constructed on the site where it's Jesus fed 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Mark 6:30-44).

The church is open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, and admission is free.

The Church of the Primacy of St. Peter occupies the site where Jesus appeared for the third time after His Resurrection (John 21). The current modest, black basalt structure was built in 1933 by the Franciscans on the site of a 4^th century church. At the base of the newer walls, at the end furthest from the altar, you can plainly see the ancient wall on three sides. The flat rock in front of the altar is believed to be the actual table at which Jesus and His disciples ate; it was known to Byzantine pilgrims as Mensa Christi (Christ's Table).

Outside the church, near the water, are steps cut out of the rock. Some believe this was where Jesus stood when the disciples saw Him, but they were possibly cut during the 2^nd to 3^rd century when this area was quarried for limestone. Six double, or heart-shaped, column bases lie below the steps, however, they are underwater when the lake level is high. These could have been taken from nearby buildings and intended to commemorate the 12 disciples. The church is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm and admission is free.

To the east lies some powerful springs. With some searching, a waterfall can be located, too.

The Church of the Mount of Beatitudes marks the place where it's believed that Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and also where He chose His disciples (Luke 6:12). The present structure, built on the site of earlier churches, dates from 1937.

Owned by the Franciscans, whose nuns live in the adjacent convent, the church's octagonal shape depicts the eight beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10). The seven virtues (justice, charity, prudence, faith, fortitude, hope and temperance) are also depicted by symbols in the pavement around the altar. From the gallery you have some of the best views of the lake, especially towards Tiberias to the south. Capernaum and the red domes of the Greek Orthodox monastery beyond can be seen to the east. Daily from 8 am to noon and 2:30 to 5 pm the church is open; admission is free.