Every day, hundreds, and even thousands, of pilgrims visit Magdala. Like the pilgrims of old, they are moved when they see the city of Mary Magdalene and pray in the places where the Savior once walked. Yet, most of Magdala’s treasures remain hidden, waiting to be brought to light.

In recent years, the Franciscan fathers have prepared their archaeological site to receive regular visits and have continued to undertake new excavations to better understand the ancient city of Magdala—many visitors can admire this site daily. Meanwhile, the Legionaries of Christ, after opening the archaeological park with its 1st-century synagogue, pilgrim house, and church to the public, are now ready to continue excavations on their land.

However, the most recent discovery was made purely by chance by the Israel Antiquities Authority. While undertaking road restructuring works next to Magdala in 2021, they found another 1st-century AD synagogue. This finding is of extraordinary importance: if, until a few decades ago, it was doubted that there were synagogues in Galilee, today, it can not only be affirmed that each city surely had one, but also that some cities had several, as in Magdala.

Certainly, Magdala remains a city yet to be fully discovered.

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