Tze'elim: Moreshet Barzel Museum and Destinations in the Southern District

Located in Kibbutz Tze'elim, it is recognized as a national cultural heritage site. The collection features metalwork by a Jerusalem family of artisans: reliefs, medals, and emblems with themes from the Mandate period, the underground resistance, the struggle for independence, the founding of the state, and the present day.

Moreshet Barzel Museum: Collection and Visit

The themes of the metalwork span various periods of history. After spending years in a small, cramped shelter, the museum moved to a new, improved building. This move is also part of the museum’s history. It offers 90-minute guided tours for groups of 18 to 50 people. Group visits require advance coordination. If you are planning a tour, arrange your visit in advance.

A Landmark in the Surrounding Area

The southern entrance to the Southern Besor Route is on Road 222, about half a kilometer north of the Tse'elim junction. This provides a specific point of reference in the area around the destination. It complements the museum’s cultural focus with a nature-oriented option, without conflating the two places.

More Destinations in the Wider Southern District Destination

The wider Southern District destination includes distinct places to visit, each with a different focus. Avdat National Park is in the Negev Highlands, along the route of the ancient Incense Road, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Masada represents the ancient Kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction, and the last stand of Jewish patriots against the Roman army in 73 CE. Remains of Herod’s palaces and intact Roman siege works have been preserved there; they are among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world.

Archaeological and natural themes also come together at Ashkelon National Park. The Canaanite Gate was built of mud bricks and kurkar bricks, dates to 1850 BCE, and is considered the oldest vaulted gate in the world. The southern part of the national park is a nature reserve for the distinctive flora and fauna of the sand dunes. Tel Be'er Sheva offers views of modern Beersheba.

Nature, Trails, and Visitor Centers

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve includes Israel’s largest oasis, with springs, waterfalls, and flowing streams; ibex and rock hyraxes live there. A hiking trail follows Nahal Arugot, which flows year-round, to a hidden waterfall and pools in its upper reaches. Trail conditions can change after flooding.

Besor Park (Eshkol) is on the eastern bank of the river, at the Ein Besor spring. The oasis features extensive lawns, picnic facilities, and children’s playgrounds. There are also marked cycling trails and a disc golf course. As operating conditions for individual facilities may change, check current information if you plan to take part in these activities.

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 distinctive natural phenomena. Advance registration through the visit coordination system is required to secure a place on your chosen date, both there and at Masada National Park. These operational details may change; check them again before making your plans.

When planning your trip, it is worth considering Tze'elim itself and the destinations in the wider Southern District separately: the museum gives the town a distinct cultural focus, while the regional examples cover archaeology, nature, and visitor interpretation.

Discover more destinations: Sde Nehemia, Amirim, Yokne'am, Almagor, Ein Ya'akov, Yehud-Monosson, Ma'alot Tarshiha, Ein Al-Asad.

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