Nahariya's Byzantine church hit by Hezbollah rocket reopens to public after four months

The Byzantine-era church in Nahariya, northern Israel, has reopened its doors to the public following repairs to damage sustained from a Hezbollah rocket attack in April. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the reopening, noting that months of restoration work by the Nahariya municipality have made the site accessible once more.

The church, originally rediscovered in 1964, houses a significant mosaic floor dating back to approximately 550 CE. This ancient artwork, which had been painstakingly restored by the IAA after its initial destruction by the Persians in 614 CE, was officially opened to the public in 2022. During the recent rocket strike, only the modern protective structure covering the mosaic was damaged, according to the IAA.

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From the decorations of the basilica, we see that the person who built it was very wealthy and invested a lot of money to build it.

An assessment by archaeologists and conservators confirmed that while debris covered the mosaic floor, the artwork itself was unharmed. The mosaic, spanning over 500 square meters, is renowned for its vibrant colors and detailed depictions of daily life, animals, and Christian symbols. Signs of its ancient destruction, including black and white staining and molten lead, are still visible in places.

The central rosette of the mosaic features a striking optical illusion that has largely survived through the centuries. IAA regional director Kamil Sari previously noted the wealth invested in the church's construction, citing an old Greek inscription that attributes its building to the archbishop of Tyre. The church complex was built upon the remains of an even older temple dating back 4,500 years.

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