Mount Thabor rises as a huge conical mass in the north end of the spacious valley of Esdraelon. The name Thabor derives from the Semitic root meaning tall structure, mountain or navel. From the early Christian years, Thabor was identified with “High Mountain” on which the Transfiguration of Christ took place. During the 6^th century on the peak of the mountain were three churches, which corresponded to the three tents. The same period Thabor was declared diocese and attracted many Christian monks and thousands of pilgrims. During the period of the Crusades, Benedictine monks as well as Greeks settled at Thabor. Following the expulsion of the Crusaders from the Holy Lands, the Sultan of Damascus MaikleEl Adil, in 1211, destroyed all the Christian edifices and on the ruins he raised a strong fort, whose remnants are saved to date at various places of the mountain. Today the peak of Thabor is Christian property and is occupied by Greek Orthodox and Latin monks. On the south section of the peak is a Greek Orthodox monastery, the Church of the Transfiguration which was built in 1862 and the Chapel of Melchizedek while in the north area exist a monastery and a hospice of the Franciscans as well as an imposing basilica erected over the ruins of an early byzantine Church.