According to Luke’s Gospel the Capernaum synagogue at the time of Jesus’ ministry had been built or funded by a Roman centurion based there. The synagogue was built almost entirely of white blocks of calcareous stone brought from distant quarries. Built of large, white limestone blocks from the hills of Galilee west of the town, it stood out among the buildings of grey basalt surrounding it.
The synagogue of Capernaum is located just inland from the shore with its facade facing Jerusalem. It has been difficult to date, with scholarly opinion ranging from the 2nd to 5th centuries. It stands on an elevated position, was richly decorated and was built of imported white limestone, which would have contrasted dramatically with the local black basalt of the rest of the village.
