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Fauzi Azar Inn
צילום: יפה רזיאל
The co-existence inn
Moshav resident from the Negev opens hostel in heart of Arab Nazareth
The mosque domes are on the left, the church bells on the right, the lovely alleyways and the smell of spices are everywhere when you visit the new guest house in the old city of Nazareth, the Fauzi Azar Inn. It’s hard to believe, but this special place was the brainchild of a 30 year-old moshavnik from the Negev, Maoz Yinon.
“After hiking thousands of kilometers in South America and the United States, I returned to Israel with my wife, we traveled the length and breadth of Israel Trail, and we realized that Israel was lacking simple, reasonably-priced guest houses near hiking areas, as many other countries in the world have.”
Why in Nazareth of all places?
“We were seeking a place near Israel Trail that had history and a special ambience, which would speak to both Israelis and tourists. In addition, I believe that Jewish-Arab co-existence will only happen through joint projects.”
Asked whether Jews are afraid to stay in the area, Yinon replies that he opened the inn to people lacking in prejudice. After searching and meeting with the local tourist council, Yinon found this special house, built in 1880 and belonging for decades to Fauzi Azar, one of the city’s wealthiest men, but abandoned for 25 years.
“I received permission from Azar’s daughter to turn the place into a guest house managed by me. Since then we’ve become the best of friends.”
Intensive remodeling and clearing of the huge piles of garbage have produced a hostel that is aesthetically pleasing and pleasant to stay in. Behind an iron door is a small, well-kept patio, and an ancient staircase leads to a spacious hall with giant windows which was once the living room.
The ceiling is about 150 feet height, and is decorated with paintings, which was the custom in respectable Arab homes in centuries past. The colors, mixed from ash with animal hair and egg white, are the work of a Lebanese artist.
The hostel has seven rooms, some large enough for a family or two, others small and romantic for couples, with shower and toilet. There are no TVs or Jacuzzis, the beds are simple, and you can prepare meals in the kitchen.
What is Maoz Yinon’s dream? “To prepare the trail of Jesus, where you’ll have to walk for five days, and which will exit Nazareth through Kfar Tabor, Tiberias, and Kfar Nahum.”
Where will the hikers sleep?
“In the next hostels I build along the trail.”
Fauzi Azar Inn, Old Nazareth, NIS 200-350 a night, tel.: 972-54-432-2328 or 972-4-602-0469.
Stuffed vegetables at the neighbors'
One of Maoz Yinon’s neighbors is Nuha Huri, owner of the Rosmarin company, maker of home-style food. She receives guests warmly in a dining area near her kitchen. The table is colorfully and appetizingly arranged with Arab delicacies such as colorful salads made with garden vegetables and excellent stuffed vegetables, and you can order various types of meat as well.
Meals cost from NIS 80-120, and the food is not kosher. Suitable for groups of up to 20 people and must be ordered in advance. Tel.: 972-52-288-4654, 972-4-655-6816.
The Al Rida café-restaurant can also be found nearby. Owner Dahar Zidni, a versatile artist and a chef, was born in Nazareth. He spent four years remodeling his family’s home, and the result is spectacular: chiseled stone walls, arched windows, a rich bar, books, piano, impressive paintings, and a wonderful ambience.
His greatest hits are lamb with artichoke; Shirallah, an Arab cousin of pizza; and Kishta al-rida, a Nazarite version of crème brulee with pistachios and pine nuts. Meals cost from NIS 40-85. Address: 23 Annunciation Street, across from the Church of St. Joseph, not kosher. Open Monday-Saturday, 1 p.m.-2 a.m., Sunday 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Tel.: 972-4-608-4404.
Before returning home make a short stop at the new art gallery near the hostel, where photos and paintings are exhibited by artists influenced by Nazareth’s atmosphere. The gallery is located in an ancient house with painted ceilings and looks out at the White Mosque. Address: 27a Annunciation Street, tel.: 972-4-6014001.
Lovers of spices and high-quality coffee should smell the wares at the Galilee Mill-al-Babour, which has been there for more than 100 years and has a tradition passed down from generation to generation. You can buy wheat, bulgur, paprika, hyssop (za’atar), corn, lentils, and of course coffee, at high quality and low prices. Address: 39 Annunciation Street, tel.: 972-4-645-5596.
