Midreshet Ben Gurion: Archive and Landscape at Nahal Zin

Midreshet Ben Gurion can be explored through two distinct themes: the Ben-Gurion Archive and the landscape around Nahal Zin. When choosing a destination, you can consider whether the settlement’s historical connections or the surrounding nature matter more to you. Documents, a gorge, a stream, and an oasis each offer a different focus.

The Ben-Gurion Archive and the settlement’s history

The Ben-Gurion Archive is housed in an educational center named after Ben-Gurion, the Midrasha. The present-day settlement of Midreshet Ben Gurion grew out of this center. The archive is therefore closely connected with the origins of the settlement. Its holdings include Ben-Gurion’s diaries, letters to and from him dating from around 1900 to 1973, speeches, minutes of the organizations and institutions in which he was active in the 20th century, and other items of this kind. The collections thus range from personal documents to records of his work in organizations and institutions. The historical documents and the history of the settlement are the main focus here.

Nahal Zin and another nearby point of interest

At the foot of Midreshet Ben Gurion, Nahal Zin cuts through a deep gorge. Three springs feed a year-round stream and an oasis there. The gorge, watercourse, and oasis give the surrounding area a different focus from the archive: here, the landscape shapes the destination’s appeal to nature lovers.

Ben-Gurion’s hut in Kibbutz Sde Boker is also nearby. It can be reached via a footpath along the promenade. This adds another named point of interest to the archive, while the gorge at Nahal Zin represents the landscape-focused appeal of the surrounding area.

More destinations in the Southern District

The broader travel destination of the Southern District offers other cultural and landscape-related attractions. Avdat National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the route of the ancient Incense Road in the Negev Highlands. Masada, in turn, is a symbol of the ancient Kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction, and the last stand of Jewish patriots against the Roman army in 73 AD. The site preserves the remains of Herod’s palaces as well as intact Roman siege works, which are among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world. Registering in advance through the visitor coordination system secures a place at Masada National Park for your chosen visit date. Check the registration information before making your plans.

The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve encompasses Israel’s largest oasis, with springs and waterfalls, ibex and rock hyraxes, and flowing streams. A hiking trail along the perennial Nahal Arugot leads to a hidden waterfall and pools in the upper reaches. Trail conditions can change after floods, so check the latest notices before setting out on a hike.

The visitor center at the Ramon Crater combines the life story of Israel’s first astronaut, Lieutenant Colonel Ilan Ramon, with an introduction to the world’s largest crater and its unique natural phenomena. Registering in advance through the visitor coordination system secures a place at the visitor center for your chosen visit date. Check the registration information before making your plans.

Discover more destinations: Mashabei Sadeh, Elifaz, Idan, Revivim, Eilat, Ashkelon, Zuqim, Ein Tamar.

Return to the broader travel overview: Southern District.