Sitria: Memorial, Gezer Trail, and Landscape

Three practical topics stand out when planning a trip to Sitria: the memorial in the moshav’s community hall, a section of the Gezer Trail that ends in Sitria, and an open habitat with its own Hebrew name. They appeal to different interests: remembrance, a named trail section, and understanding the local landscape. Which focus suits you depends on whether you want to visit a memorial, plan the trail section, or identify the landscape by its local features.

Memorial in the Community Hall

The memorial is located in the moshav’s community hall in Sitria, east of Rehovot. Access is locked; admission must be arranged with moshav representatives. Be sure to coordinate your visit in advance. This makes the necessary arrangements part of your planning before you arrive at the community hall.

Inside the memorial, two wood-paneled walls meet at a right angle. Framed photographs and information about the fallen hang on them. The arrangement gives the space a clear physical form, while the pictures and information connect it with the fallen. This combination of wall design, photographs, and information defines the memorial character of the place.

The Gezer Trail and Tel Batiah

The sixth section of the Gezer Trail begins at Einot Givaton Nature Reserve and ends at Tel Batiah in Sitria; it is about seven kilometers long. The order of the endpoints makes Sitria the destination of this section, not the stated starting point. If you are planning this part of the trail, you can use the start, destination, and approximate distance together as a guide.

You can factor the route length into your schedule; also check current trail conditions before setting out. These address different questions: the approximate distance helps you choose a trail section, while checking trail conditions helps with planning on the day you start.

Open Habitat and Historical Name

The open habitat in Sitria covers about 20 dunams and is called “שמורת המאגר” (“Reservoir Reserve”). It lies east of Naan Forest, north of a strip with IDF bases, west of Sitria’s orchards, and south of the foot of a prominent hill. Its approximate area and the four directional references place the habitat within the local landscape.

The prominent hill beside the habitat was formerly called “תל אל בטיח” (Tel al-Batiah); watermelons were probably grown there at the time. Tel Batiah is also the endpoint of the sixth section of the Gezer Trail in Sitria, giving the former name a connection to the trail’s destination. The name is historical, while the watermelon cultivation is only probable.

The memorial and the Gezer Trail require different preparation: arrange admission to the memorial with the moshav representatives, and check current conditions before setting out on the trail. If you plan to cover both, treat arranging access and checking the route as separate steps.

Discover more destinations: Kafr Qasim, Sharona, Parod, Kerem Ben Zimra, Kalia Beach, Mevaseret Zion, Sde Nehemia, Nir Akiva

For the broader travel overview: Israel.