DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.10357#0360
326
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
the south is Wady Semakh, where is the site of Gergesa, and above that the ruins of Gamala
crowning a bold summit. Far in the distance the southern end of the lake is seen, and the
broad valley of the Jordan. Near the point where the river leaves the lake appears the
mound which represents all that remains of the once large and wealthy city of Tarichaea
(Kerak). Midway along the western shore is Tiberias, and farther north the few huts at
Magdala. The cliffs which line Wady Hamam on either side open like the jaws of some
hideous monster, and beyond and above them rise the Horns of Hattin.
In Christ's time the region about the Sea of Galilee was thronged with intelligent,
busy men, and covered with the marks of civilisation and prosperity. But all is changed ;
and the only signs of life at present are a few boats on the lake, a few ploughmen in the
fields, and the cattle or tents of the Bedawin on these sacred hillsides. Still, although in
desolation, this region is to us one of the most delightful places on earth. No church or
cathedral in civilised lands brings us so near to the Divine Master as a day spent on these
lonely shores. While carrying on our work east of the Jordan, we made an effort to spend
the Sabbath by this lake whenever it was possible to do so. We have been across it many
times, and examined every locality north and south of it, and on both the eastern and western
banks; we have seen it in calm and storm, in summer and winter ; and its beauty grows
upon us. Like Niagara, like some of the lakes of Scotland or Switzerland, one cannot
appreciate its attractions by a single glance ; they are developed by study. And he who
goes from point to point about this hallowed lake, and observes the changing aspects of
sea and mountains, will find its scenery to be diversified instead of monotonous and uniform,
and that some of its views possess elements of unusual loveliness and grandeur.
As we descended from Safed (see pages 328, 329) to the Sea of Galilee by way of Khan
Jubb Yusef, we shall return by the other route previously indicated, starting from the north-west
corner of the plain of Gennesaret at the large ruin called Abu Shusheh. Fine squared stones
project from the ground at many points, and it is possible that this also is the site of a once-
important town. There is a large mill here, run by water from the copious stream of the
Rtibudiyeh. A few minutes north of this ruin we cross WTady el Amud, which in its upper
portion is called WTady Leimon (see pages 323, 325). This is a large stream, and is one of
the main sources for irrigating the plain of Gennesaret. The path leads up to the east of this
wady, across a rough plateau, and meets the stream again under the cliffs of Akhbara. But it
is also possible to go up the wady itself. Although the task is difficult, the adventurer will be
fully repaid by the wild and savage aspect of this mountain gorge. At many points the walls
are perpendicular, and they rise to a height of six hundred or one thousand feet. They often
spring from the edge of the stream, so as to leave no path on either side. These walls of
rock are perforated with innumerable openings which lead to caves. Very many of them are at
present inaccessible. They may have been reached by some interi'or and secret passages, or
the face of the rock may have been injured by earthquakes, so that the proper approaches have
been destroyed. Swarms of birds now occupy them, and have here a secure retreat. While
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
the south is Wady Semakh, where is the site of Gergesa, and above that the ruins of Gamala
crowning a bold summit. Far in the distance the southern end of the lake is seen, and the
broad valley of the Jordan. Near the point where the river leaves the lake appears the
mound which represents all that remains of the once large and wealthy city of Tarichaea
(Kerak). Midway along the western shore is Tiberias, and farther north the few huts at
Magdala. The cliffs which line Wady Hamam on either side open like the jaws of some
hideous monster, and beyond and above them rise the Horns of Hattin.
In Christ's time the region about the Sea of Galilee was thronged with intelligent,
busy men, and covered with the marks of civilisation and prosperity. But all is changed ;
and the only signs of life at present are a few boats on the lake, a few ploughmen in the
fields, and the cattle or tents of the Bedawin on these sacred hillsides. Still, although in
desolation, this region is to us one of the most delightful places on earth. No church or
cathedral in civilised lands brings us so near to the Divine Master as a day spent on these
lonely shores. While carrying on our work east of the Jordan, we made an effort to spend
the Sabbath by this lake whenever it was possible to do so. We have been across it many
times, and examined every locality north and south of it, and on both the eastern and western
banks; we have seen it in calm and storm, in summer and winter ; and its beauty grows
upon us. Like Niagara, like some of the lakes of Scotland or Switzerland, one cannot
appreciate its attractions by a single glance ; they are developed by study. And he who
goes from point to point about this hallowed lake, and observes the changing aspects of
sea and mountains, will find its scenery to be diversified instead of monotonous and uniform,
and that some of its views possess elements of unusual loveliness and grandeur.
As we descended from Safed (see pages 328, 329) to the Sea of Galilee by way of Khan
Jubb Yusef, we shall return by the other route previously indicated, starting from the north-west
corner of the plain of Gennesaret at the large ruin called Abu Shusheh. Fine squared stones
project from the ground at many points, and it is possible that this also is the site of a once-
important town. There is a large mill here, run by water from the copious stream of the
Rtibudiyeh. A few minutes north of this ruin we cross WTady el Amud, which in its upper
portion is called WTady Leimon (see pages 323, 325). This is a large stream, and is one of
the main sources for irrigating the plain of Gennesaret. The path leads up to the east of this
wady, across a rough plateau, and meets the stream again under the cliffs of Akhbara. But it
is also possible to go up the wady itself. Although the task is difficult, the adventurer will be
fully repaid by the wild and savage aspect of this mountain gorge. At many points the walls
are perpendicular, and they rise to a height of six hundred or one thousand feet. They often
spring from the edge of the stream, so as to leave no path on either side. These walls of
rock are perforated with innumerable openings which lead to caves. Very many of them are at
present inaccessible. They may have been reached by some interi'or and secret passages, or
the face of the rock may have been injured by earthquakes, so that the proper approaches have
been destroyed. Swarms of birds now occupy them, and have here a secure retreat. While