The Mount of Beatitudes is on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, above Capernaum, and is approached by a special road branching from the main road going up to Rosh Pina (route 90).
According to tradition, Jesus taught his disciples the Sermon on the Mount as related by Matthew (Matt.5:3-11). Verses 5:3-11 of the sermon begin with the words blessed are, hence the name Beatitude which means “Blessing” in Latin.
The church designed by the architect Antonio Barluzzi, in neo-Renaissance style. Built of contrasting black basalt and white limestone, it has arched porticos on each of the four sides. The one-storey building is surmounted by a buttressed octagonal drum and dome rising above the main chapel. The octagonal shape of the church commemorates the eight Beatitudes. The mosaic floor is decorated with symbols of the seven virtues of man referred to in the sermon.
The shrine and adjoining hospice for pilgrims are served by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The property itself is owned by an Italian Catholic society (Associazione Nazionale per soccorrere i Missionari Italian).
