The Basilica of the Annunciation, a modern Catholic church built over the remains of Byzantine and Crusader churches in Nazareth marks the place where, according to Christian tradition, the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary announcing that she would give birth to Jesus.
In 427 CE a Byzantine church was built on site. In the 12th century a Crusade church was built on the ruins of the Byzantine church. In 1969 the amazing Basilica was constructed on the ruins of four earlier churches.
The rock-cut grotto at the heart of the church is believed to have been the home of Mary. The church is decorated with mosaics and other representations of Mary donated by Catholic communities from around the world, each reflecting its own cultural traditions.
