Revivim: Heritage and History in the Negev

Mitzpe Revivim traces the beginnings of Jewish settlement in the Negev. The heritage site offers a range of historical points of interest, including the Tira, the observation tower and the dam room. If you are considering Revivim as a travel destination, these themes can help you decide whether the area’s history matches your interests.

Mitzpe Revivim: The History of Settlement

Mitzpe Revivim was established in 1943, named after Yosef Weitz, and was initially called “Tel Tsofim.” Its former name and namesake provide two specific details that complement the founding year and shed light on the area’s history. The Tira illustrates the early life of the small kibbutz, bringing the settlement’s everyday life into focus.

Areas to Visit and Water Installations

Visitors to Mitzpe Revivim can see the Tira, the observation tower and the dam room. The dam room tells the story of attempts to store floodwater for irrigation. A model on display there illustrates the historic water installations, the excavated channels, the river and the storage of floodwater. Photos and explanations complement the model and describe how the installation was built and how it worked. The kibbutz’s early life and its water installations thus offer different themes to explore during a visit.

Rock-Cut Cistern and Golda Meir Archive

The rock-cut cistern at Mitzpe Revivim served as the first settlers’ initial shelter. It was hewn from the rock during the Byzantine period; during World War I, the Turkish army installed an iron gate at its entrance. As part of a visit to the Golda Meir Archive, the film “One of Us” is shown, exploring the special connection between Golda Meir and Revivim. It offers a distinct historical focus. Check with the operator for current tour details if you are planning this visit.

Southern District: More Cultural and Natural Highlights

The wider Southern District destination offers further cultural and landscape highlights. Avdat National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the route of the ancient Incense Route in the Negev Highlands. Masada is a symbol of the ancient Kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction, and the final resistance of Jewish patriots against the Roman army in 73 CE. The site also preserves remains of Herod’s palaces and intact Roman siege works, among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world. The visitor center at the Ramon Crater combines the story of Ilan Ramon’s life with an introduction to the crater and its distinctive natural phenomena.

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve offers a different landscape, encompassing Israel’s largest oasis, with springs, waterfalls, flowing streams, ibex and hyraxes. A trail along the year-round Nahal Arugot leads to a hidden waterfall and pools upstream. Trail conditions may change after floods.

Discover more destinations: Kfar Menahem, Kiryat Malakhi, Eilat, Mishmar HaNegev, Arad, Elifaz, Maslul, Dimona

For the wider travel overview: Southern District.