Magdala

Magdala is an ancient town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee in the region of Galilee, in present-day Israel. It is commonly identified with the modern town of Migdal (Migdal ha-Emek) near the city of Tiberias. The name Magdala is derived from Hebrew and Aramaic roots meaning “tower” or “fortress.”

In the first century BCE and into the first centuries CE, Magdala was a coastal trading and fishing community with a substantial Jewish population. Archaeological investigations have uncovered a large, well-preserved first-century synagogue, street networks, domestic houses, and a harbor area. The site suggests Magdala was a prosperous urban center in the region.

One of the most notable finds is the Magdala Stone, a carved limestone block from the synagogue floor dating to the 1st century CE. The stone bears reliefs, including what is interpreted as a menorah, and is thought to have served as a base for ritual furniture in the sanctuary.

In Christian tradition, Magdala is associated with Mary Magdalene, described in the Gospels as a woman from Magdala who became a follower of Jesus.

Today, Magdala is the focus of ongoing archaeological work and visitor facilities. The site sheds light on urban life in Galilee during the Second Temple period and its cultural and religious landscape, while the nearby modern town continues to bear the historical name.