Kursi, Archaeological site and monastery in Golan Heights, Israel.
Kursi is a Byzantine monastery and archaeological site in the Golan Heights east of the Sea of Galilee. The complex contains the remains of a basilica with columns, surrounded by stone walls with tower entrances, and several connected pathways reveal the layout of the settlement.
The monastery operated from the 5th century until 614 CE, when invading forces destroyed the site and its religious structures. This attack ended centuries of continuous use as a place of worship and study.
The main church shows how Byzantine builders separated the central space with columns and filled walls with mosaic images of plants and animals. These decorations reveal what the community valued and wanted to see during worship.
The park has marked walking trails and educational signs to help visitors navigate the remains. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as the paths are exposed to sun with little shade protection.
A marble slab with Aramaic writing discovered in 2015 shows that Jewish or Judeo-Christian communities lived here around 500 CE. This discovery suggests that different religious groups shared the region and may have influenced each other.
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