The city is on top of a high mountain, the citadel of the Jewish faith, Kabbalah and art. Safed itself is a unique landmark of Israel . A deep religious atmosphere here is imbued with a rebellious spirit of perennial wars of conquest and supplemented by the subtle charm of great art.
The city is on top of a high mountain, the citadel of the Jewish faith, Kabbalah and art. Safed itself is a unique landmark of Israel . A deep religious atmosphere here is imbued with a rebellious spirit of perennial wars of conquest and supplemented by the subtle charm of great art.
Safed at the same time and incredibly solid, and contradictory. Even when entering the city, on one side you see Rabin's quarter, on the other - Begina. And the pastoral authentic architecture is diluted with unusual modern sculptures of the original form.
In addition to this whole picture, it is worth adding the amazing scenic nature surrounding Safed. Creeping mountain rivers (Baniasi and Liddany), magnificent panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee , the majestic mountains Meron and Hermon. Traveling to this beautiful city and getting to know its outstanding places for a long time will remain in your memory.
Religious Attractions of Safed
In general, there are a lot of believers in Israel, but in Safed the sacred spirit literally hovers in the air. Religious traditions here are venerated irreproachably, so we strongly recommend that you read them if you want to visit the holy places in Safed. Namely:
- synagogue to them. Rabbi Yitzhak Luria Ashkenazi - restored in 1985 after a major earthquake, is famous for the fact that Torah scrolls are kept here (this synagogue is associated with a famous legend about the amazing salvation of all praying parishioners who miraculously survived after falling into the building of a military projectile);
- the Abohav synagogue - built in the 15th century, during the earthquake in Safed, there was only one wall facing Jerusalem , the synagogue vaults were decorated with painted ornaments and beautiful chandeliers;
- the synagogue "Maran Yosef Karo" - is dedicated to the great rabbi, who described his prophetic visions in a small room, which was preserved on the ground floor of the synagogue;
- the Binay synagogue - it houses the tomb of the famous rabbi Bannaya;
- synagogue "Alsheh" - built in the Samarkand style at the beginning of the XVI century, was once the center of the faith of Turkish Jews;
- The synagogue Hall Moharan is located in the southern part of the city;
- the grave of Rabbi Berg ;
- Muslim Mosque Red .
Be prepared for the fact that in some synagogues you may not be allowed, if you do not profess the corresponding faith. Also be careful with the camera. Better consult on the issue of shooting photos and video with a guide. Not everywhere it is permissible.
Artist's Quarter
This attraction of Safed is worth highlighting in a separate section. It is here that the first thing that all tourists do is to immerse themselves in the magical world of art.
This quarter appeared in the middle of the twentieth century, and since then has been actively developing and expanding. Walking along the narrow cobblestone streets, you will get a real pleasure from the surrounding picture: enticing artists' studios, exhibitions and sales of various art objects from folk craftsmen, original street sculptures, cozy art cafes where you can have a snack in an unusual creative atmosphere.
We present you only a small list of popular galleries in the Quarter of Artists:
- NICKA ;
- Olive Tree Gallery ;
- Yom Tov Art Gallery ;
- Aharon Yakobson ART GALLERY ;
- Safed Candles & McLevy Sculpture Gallery ;
- Tzfat Gallery of Mystical Art .
Here you can buy for memory not only a picture or a sculpture, but also figured candles, products made of wood, ceramics, textiles and metal. In small shops you can buy souvenirs cheaper than in large workshops, but they are unlikely to claim the title of works of art.
Museums of Safed
Do not have to be bored in Safed and fans of museum expositions. In the city you can visit:
- the Museum of the History of Jewish Settlement - is devoted to the main stages of the repatriation of the Jewish population to Israel, and various exhibits (books, household items, clothing, money) found during archaeological excavations in Safed and surrounding areas (the museum is open in the morning - up to 14 : 00, Saturday - closed, on Friday - closing at 13:00);
- a museum of printed art on the street a-Madregot - a collection of ancient printing presses, old books and typographical prints is represented (this museum was not accidentally located in Safed, it was here, at the end of the 16th century, the first printing house in the Middle East was founded);
- a museum of sculpture and graphics - here you can see the works of local master Hanoch Glitsenstein, as well as its rich library;
- The Biblical Museum on Hativat Iftakh Street - paintings written on biblical themes by the founder of the museum - by artist F. Ratner (open to visitors daily from 09:00 to 14:00, except Saturdays);
- museum of dolls in the Gan-a-salim district - the history of the museum is very touching: the master of applied art Mila Rosenfeld founded it in honor of the daughter who died during the terrorist act, almost all the dolls are made of porcelain and are dressed in beautiful costumes of different historical epochs (the museum is open from 10: 00 to 18:00, except Tuesdays and Saturdays, Friday - a short day);
- Museum Khameyri - was founded by a resident of Safed , who for 30 years collected a collection of rare exhibits related to the history of his native city (there are 9 permanent exhibitions in the museum, among which are the halls "Heroic Safed", "Religious Life of Safed" and others).
In some museums there are souvenir shops and shops where you can buy something unusual for memory.
What else to see in Safed?
- cemetery Old Jewish Cemetery ;
- cave Shem ve-Ever ;
- cemetery Safed Cemetery ;
- The fortress hill ;
- Abouhav Winery ;
- park "Givat aMetsuda" ;
- the ruins of the fortress of the Crusaders ;
- the zoo ;
- cheese factory Mahlevet kadosh (Ha Rav Mordehai Eliyahu St. 34);
- cemetery Tomb of Ha'ari ;
- Emek HaTkhelet Park .