Saffuriyya (Sepphoris) is located 6.5 km northwest of Nazareth in the northern part of Palestine, in the heart of the lower Galilee. It is 30 km west of the Mediterranean Sea, and the same distance west of Galilee Sea. Saffuriyya (Sepphoris) is situated on a hill in a mountainous plain, at a 289 meters elevation. The entire surrounding area was and is known for its prosperous agriculture, owing to fertile land, rich soil, and abundant rainfall.
	Saffuriyya (Sepphoris) erection date is unknown, and, its history before the first centenary B.C is unclear.  But many sources attest that Saffuriyya (Sepphoris) has existed since second thousand before Christ.
	According to a rabbinic text, Canaanite Saffuriyya (Sepphoris), between  1550-1200 BC, was one of the fortified cities.  Some historical sources mention that it was built by Canaanites, Joshua had destroyed it in 1200 BC, but an Arab tribe had reconstructed it. However, excavations have not revealed a city from this period.
	A few remains from (8-7 cent. B.C) were found in Saffuriyya (Sepphoris) confirm the existence of a settlement there at that time.
	In fact, the origin Canaanite and Aramean of  Saffuriyya (Sepphoris) is clear in its name, some hypotheses explain it name.

“Sefré” in Aramaic means “bird”, possibly because Saffuriyya (Sepphoris)  appears “perched” on the top of a hill.

“Sefràya” in Aramaic means goat.

“Safrà” in Aramaic means morning. In this direction Mr. M.A.Besher go in his book “Saffuriyya: History and Patrimony”. He said that Saffuriyya (Sepphoris) name is coming from “Sefràél  that means  “morning of él” or “morning of God”.

Saffuriyya is its Aramean and Arab names, Sepphoris is its Greek name, Tzippori is its Hebrew name. The city was named Autocratoris by Herod Agrippa, Eirenopolis Neronias in the time of Nero, and Diocaesarea by Hadrian.  It was named by the crusaders Le Sephorie.

 

Introduction.

Palestine and Saffuriyya (Sepphoris) before the Roman conquest.

Roman conquest  and the Hellinization of Saffuriyya (Sepphoris).

Saffuriyya (Sepphoris) from 3rd century until Arab Era.

From Arab Era until  Crusade.

Saffuriyya (Sepphoris) and Crusade.

From Crusade until 1918.

From 1918 until 1948.

1948: the exodus  of   Saffuriyya (Sepphoris).

Saffuriyya (Sepphoris) and Saffurians aftre 1948.

 

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