Zichron Ya’acov - A Gem You Don't Want to Miss

This charming town is rarely visited on even second or third trips to Israel.

But it’s a gem you don’t want to miss!

Zichron is located 22 miles south of Haifa at the southern edge of the Carmel mountain range, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea near the coastal highway. Many people are attracted to the picturesque setting and historic city center whose restored buildings on its main street house restaurants, coffeehouses and boutiques selling locally made crafts, jewelry and antiques.

Zichron Ya’akov was founded in 1882 by 100 Jewish pioneers from Romania. They purchased land but the difficulty of working the rocky soil and an outbreak of malaria led many of the settlers to leave before the year was up.

In 1883, Baron Edmund James de Rothschild became the patron of the settlement and drew up plans for its residential layout and agricultural economy. Zichron was one of the first Jewish agricultural colonies to come under the wing of the baron. He brought in planners who designed and allotted housing plots along the main road for the use of settlement farmers. Each lot included a house facing the street, a long interior courtyard and a building for agricultural implements. The French-inspired architecture included tiled roofs and painted wooden windows frames. These houses can still be seen today. Each farmer was given a salary and placed under the direction of the baron’s clerk. The Ohel Ya’akov Synagogue was commissioned by Baron de Rothschild and a beautiful edifice with an ark made of white marble was built. The synagogue opened in 1886 and has conducted daily prayer services continuously ever since.

Ohel Ya’akov Synagogue

After a number of economic failures, Baron de Rothschild helped to establish the first winery in Israel, Carmel Winery, in 1885. This was somewhat successful until 1892 when the grapevines were attacked by a parasite. After a brief setback, the winery grew American seedlings that were resistant to the parasite and subsequently flourished. Today, the winery is the longest-operating institution in Israel’s booming wine-making industry.

The Elma Arts Complex Luxury Hotel

Be sure to stop or stay at The Elma Arts Complex Luxury Hotel. It is a magnificent architectural complex with outstanding views of the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel has the philosophy that “When you stay with art, the art stays with you long after you leave.” The Elma highlights not only a magnificent array of visual arts but also classical concerts, operas and modern musical performances. These make it a special destination for both locals and tourists.

Don’t miss the Aaronsohn House-Nili Museum. During World War I, Zichron became famous for the establishment of the Nili spy ring. Sarah Aaronsohn, with her brothers Aaron and Alex and their friend, Avshalom Feinberg, volunteered to spy on Ottoman positions and report them to British agents offshore. In 1917, the Ottomans caught one of Sarah’s carrier pigeons and cracked the code. Sarah and several others were arrested. After four days of torture, Sarah was able to go home to get some clothes and while there, she shot herself in the throat so that she wouldn’t be able to give away secret information.

A unique cemetery also awaits you in Zichron. There are colorful and whimsical but moving tributes marking the graves of children and young people.