Excavations in Capharnaum

Excavations in Capharnaum. . , . (Blue icon)-1905 First excavations in the 5th c. Synagogue by Heinrich Kohl and Carl Watzinger of the Deutsche Orient- Gesellschaft, on behalf of the Custody of the Holy Land. , . (Green icon)-1915 First excavations in the old village, as well as in the Octagonal Building, by Fr. Wendelin von Menden OFM. , . (Orange icon)-1921 Further excavations in the Octagonal Building and in the Arab phase of the village, by Fr. Gaudenzio Orfall OFM. , . (Red icon)-1968-1984 First excavations in the 1st c. AD Synagogue (under the 5th c. AD Synagogue) and in the House of St. Peter, by Fr. Virgilio Corbo OFM and Fr. Stanislao Loffreda OFM. , 2000-2003 Further excavations in the village area by Fr. Stanislao Loffreda OFM. , The majority of the archaeological ruins of Capharnaum belong to the Custody of the Holy Land, while a portion of land to the east is the property of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. , American biblical archaeologist Dr. Edward Robinson came to the area in 1838, and described it as a desolate place with a few Arab inhabitants. Near the shore, however, he came upon ruins that, in his opinion, surpassed anything he had ever seen in Palestine. These ruins lured him back for a second visit, at which time he identified them as the Synagogue of Capharnaum. In 1866, English archaeologist Charles Wilson made a topographical drawing of the visible Synagogue ruins, but it was still impossible to establish the floor plan of the entire structure, as much of it was overgrown and unexcavated. In the subsequent years, unfortunately, these precious archaeological remains sustained substantial damage by the inhabitants of the area. , At the end of the 19th century, Fr. Donato Baldi OFM purchased the Synagogue ruins and much of ancient Capharnaum from the local residents, for the Custody of the Holy Land. These sites were then properly covered and protected, for future study and conservation. , In 1905, excavations began in earnest, and were carried out continuously until the untimely death of Fr. Gaudenzio Orfall OFM, then Head of the digs, in 1926. , In 1968, renewed interest in this very northern and very important holy place prompted excavations in the House of St. Peter and in the older, 1st c. AD Synagogue, which lies below the 5th c. AD or "monumental" Synagogue, so named because it towered over the surrounding village and countryside. , St. John Paul II, during his 2000 papal visit to Capharnaum, was so impressed by the Franciscans' century of excavations In Capharnaum, that he encouraged them to resume the work. The results are what you see today. , "Leaving Nazareth, he (Jesus) went and lived In Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali" Matthew 4:13