The museum was established in the 1960’s, says the director of the Stockade and Tower (Homa U’Migdal) Museum in Kibbutz Hanita, “the founders and builders of the museum were members of the first group of settlers who built the Kibbutz; they established it due to the historic findings discovered here, and with the clear feeling that history was in the making”.
Activity times
- Weekdays
- 09:00 - 14:00
- Fridays and holiday eves
- 10:00 - 13:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 13:00
Contact and address
- Phone for reservations
- 077-9964595
- Location
- Hanita
- Website
- museumhanita.blogspot.co.il
Contacting host
At the heart of Kibbutz Hanita – among giant ancient trees that shaded even the mythological of pioneers, and young saplings planted by diligent landscaping workers – stands a stone house, over a hundred years old. A magnificent mosaic floor was found here as well as the remnants of a 6th century Byzantine church that was destroyed by Muslims, its stones used in the building of this house.
In this very house now unfolds the story of Hanita’s establishment – one of the most important operations of pre-State Israel; that has become a national symbol. In addition to mosaics, the archeological section displays findings discovered here, on this very hill: artifacts from the Chalcolithic period to the Crusades, a collection of flint instruments, old coins from the Roman and Greek periods and more.
The Hanita museum is not a ‘sterilized’ environment. You will not find here shining glass displays, nor have to battle with the clicking sound of your heels or an insistent cough; here you will not walk into an empty white hall displaying a secured vase at its center.
The museum is a pleasant and well-cared for area, yet here visitors are somewhat of researching historians, making their way through an ocean of documents and tangible, priceless sources: photos and films, songs and firearms, stories, paper clippings, maps manuscripts and so on. Sort of a physical ‘surf’ through a vast living, beating space of knowledge. “The museum presents the story of Hanita’s establishment as part of the national operation of the Stockade and Tower (Homa U’Migdal) settlements. Hanita’s history is intertwined with the history of the state of Israel”.
Visitors arriving at the museum should consult the staff regarding points of interest and short routes in the vicinity of the museum – all within Kibbutz premises – from a breathtaking observation point overlooking the entire Western Galilee, through a ‘heavenly route’ that includes Byzantine burial caves to the ever bubbling ‘Ein Kovshim’ spring. Enjoy the slide.