“But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.” Jonah 1:3

One of the oldest cities in Israel, Joppa is a bustling little town located in the most densely populated area along the Mediterranean Sea. Mentioned in the Bible as the place in which the prophet Jonah deported as he ran from God's prophetic call on his life (Jonah 1:3). Joppa is one of the oldest seaports in the world and believed to have been founded by Japheth the son of Noah. It is also mentioned in the New Testament as the place in which Peter had his vision at Simon the Tanner's rooftop to allow the Gentiles into the life of the new Christian community (Acts 10:1-44)."Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea." When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants, and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.” Acts 10:5-8

When you visit the museum the significance of Joppa comes alive. The museum features artifacts from the Bronze Age through modern history. Visitors can enjoy a short video about the area in several different languages. Surrounding the small museum are landscaped plazas and quaint shops where you can relax and browse. Close to the museum is an arch depicting the sacrifice of a lamb and is a popular site for wedding couples to photograph.

St. Peter's church provides an excellent atmosphere for reading the New Testament text. The traditional site of Simon the Tanner's rooftop can be visited today with a view of the entire Old City and the Mediterranean Sea. Joppa is an artisans' haven featuring some of the best Israeli art. Recently the city has undergone new building projects and renovations of old buildings. With the combination of ancient and modern appeal, the location is becoming a hot spot for new businesses and restaurants.