Afikim’s kibbutz history can be seen in its buildings: the dining hall complex, the water tower, and early buildings are protected as heritage of the kibbutz movement and the settlement of the valley. Together, they provide a cultural focus for planning a trip—from the history of communal buildings to the tower’s distinctive role in communications.

Kibbutz History in Buildings and Art

Afikim’s water tower served as an observation and communications post for the Haganah. Light signals and flags were used. The central dining hall, in turn, was designed and built in 1956–1958 by Werner Joseph Witkower and Arik Bauman. These two sites offer different historical points of interest: the tower’s role in communications takes center stage, while the dining hall highlights its architecture and communal function, as its name suggests.

Another dated work of art is located in Afikim’s Beit Itamar sports hall: it features a fresco from 1953. The local cultural history thus encompasses both protected buildings and a specific artistic feature. If you would like to plan a visit to specific buildings, it is advisable to check access in advance.

Cultural Sites in the Wider Destination of the Northern District

In the wider destination of the Northern District, Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo represent archaeological themes that differ from Afikim’s architectural heritage. Tel Hazor is a biblical tell with significant remains of a city associated with biblical references; visits focus on the Upper City. The site’s features include Solomon’s Gate, with six chambers and two towers dating to the 10th century BCE. A Canaanite palace was used by the kings of Hazor in the 14th and 13th centuries BCE. The Late Bronze Age palace is described as the most elaborate in Israel and one of the most significant in the Levant.

Water supply is also part of Tel Hazor’s archaeological story: an excavated shaft is 45 meters deep. In the water system, steps three meters wide are carved into the walls of a vertical shaft; the installation is considered an ingenious engineering achievement adapted to the geography for water storage. To reach Tel Hazor National Park from the north or south, take Route 90 toward Ayelet Hashahar. Check your navigation before setting out.

Tel Megiddo is also a biblical tell with significant remains of a city associated with biblical references. It is one of three tells that preserve such urban remains and are closely connected with events from the Bible. The Early Bronze Age temple complex is distinguished by the number of its temples, the continuity of cult activity, and documented ritual practices. The orthogonal city plan dates to the Iron Age and has few parallels in the Levant. The fortifications of Tel Hazor are considered the best example of their kind in the area from southern Turkey to the northern Negev. This makes it possible to distinguish between the options when choosing a cultural itinerary: Afikim offers the aforementioned evidence of kibbutz history, while the examples in the Northern District represent different archaeological themes.

Discover more destinations: Mevaseret Zion, Ani'am, Shoresh, Ma'ayan Baruch, Abirim, Petah Tikva, Adi, Ramat Tzvi

Back to the wider travel guide: Israel.