It’s a Franciscan Chapel, located in Tabgha, about 300 meters east of the Church of the Multiplication, on the northwest shores of the Sea of Galilee. It stands over the place where Jesus appeared to his disciples for the third time following his resurrection, and invested Peter with his authority and commended him to “Feed my sheep”. (John 21:17)

According to Franciscan archeological investigations occurred in 1969 by father Loffreda this area was used as strip mine and a limestone site before the 4th century, then, at the Byzantine period in the 4th century, an ancient church with the shape of rectangle was built in that area. Inside the church there was a holy flat rock identified as the table on which Jesus dined with his disciples and invested Peter with his authority. (John 21:1-19) Thus, the church was referred to as the “Place of the Coals”. The church survived till the end of the 9th century. The Crusaders rebuilt it in 1099. However, it was destroyed again after their defeat in the battle of Hattin in 1187. Rebuilt in 1260 and survived longer than any other church in Tabgha till it was finally destroyed by the Mamluks in 1265.

The present modest Franciscan Chapel of the Primacy of St Peter was built over the ruins of the earlier church in 1933. It is built of black basalt stones. The elements of the late 4th century church are visible along the outside base of three of the walls. The flat rock in front of the present altar is known as “Mensa Christi” or Christ’s Table. According to tradition, this is where Jesus dined with his disciples.

South of the chapel are rocky steps mentioned by Lady Egeria (383) as the place where once Jesus stood.

Near the terrace are six heart shaped of double column block known as the Twelve Seats of the kingdom or the Twelve Thrones, dedicated to the twelve apostles. Luke (22:30)

More photos of Sea of Galilee sites are available at HolyLand Photo Gallery