Culture of Netanya. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

In Netanya, tour goers will be offered walks in interesting historical places. In the vicinity of the city, they can discover the ruins of the ancient Qaqun Fortress. The exact date of the citadel's construction is still unknown. The first written mention of it dates back to the 12th century. According to one version, the fortress was built by the crusaders to protect the conquered territories. Over the hundreds of years, the citadel has survived many destructive battles. Throughout the entire period of its existence, it has served its intended purpose. The last battles in this area took place in 1948 when local residents managed to recover the captured land from the Iraqi army. The historic structure is now in a dilapidated condition, which does not prevent it from remaining a popular tourist attraction.

One of the beautiful historic buildings on the outskirts of the city houses the Jewish Legion Museum. The main part of its exposition is dedicated to the period of the First World War. The museum has an interesting collection of artillery of this period. Visitors will also be able to see collections of cold steel and firearms, old documents and military maps, as well as other military-related exhibits.

Within the city, you can visit the Municipal Gallery, which occupies the City Hall building. This museum is open with free admission and keeps an extensive collection of exhibits on various areas of regional culture and art. Collections of sculptures, paintings, and handicrafts by local artists are gathered in its exhibition halls. The expositions are temporary, which makes the gallery interesting even to those who've already been here once. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Netanya's main cultural center is the wonderful palace Heyhal A-Tarbut, which is of great architectural value itself. The main city theater is located within the walls of the palace. Besides theatrical performances, it often hosts concerts and musical evenings, as well as entertainment programs for children. During periods when traditional festivals are held in the city, a stage located in the palace becomes one of the main ones.

Excursions to nearby archaeological areas are popular among fans of historical sites. One of the most interesting areas is Tel Arad where researchers discovered the ruins of an ancient city. It is very old even by biblical standards - approximate estimates show that the age of the city is about 5,000 years. Historians believe that one of the largest cities in the Kingdom of Israel was located here during this period. By now, archaeologists have managed to restore fragments of its many structures. Among the most unusual ones is an ancient reservoir that was used for collecting rainwater. It is striking in its scale even by today's standards. Besides residential buildings, the ruins of an old fortress and defensive walls were discovered in the ancient city. According to historians, the settlement was destroyed by the Persian army, after which the surviving citizens had to leave their native land forever.

Walking around the city, guests of Netanya can see many interesting monuments and fountains. Searching for them becomes an amusing adventure for many tourists. On one of the central streets, they can find a sculptural composition dedicated to street musicians surrounded by popular restaurants and shops. In 2012, the opening of the Victory Monument dedicated to the end of the Holocaust took place in the city. This memorial installed near the coast is the fruit of the joint work of Israeli and Russian sculptors. Decorative stones of black and white colors were used for its decoration. Against the background of sea landscapes, the sculpture looks absolutely spectacular. The city's most beautiful fountain can be found in Independence Square. It is made of metal and shaped like a lily flower. On a hot sunny day, there are always a lot of vacationers at the fountain.

Fans of unusual attractions would probably be interested to see the Old Sycamore Tree. According to some researchers, its age can reach one and a half thousand years. It is not possible to determine the exact age of the evergreen tree because it has no annual rings. It is known for sure, however, that it stands in its place for at least 600 years. The trunk of the magnificent tree measures 8 meters around. Many amazing legends are associated with the Old Sycamore Tree. It is also popular with tourists because it is nice to relax in its shade on a hot day.