In Ma'alot Tarshiha, cultural points of interest range from sacred architecture to art offerings and the history of residential buildings. Separately, the wider Northern District offers an archaeological perspective on Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo.
Churches and Their Different Traditions
The Greek Orthodox church in Ma'alot Tarshiha has a large dome and arches. Rich icon art adorns the interior of the prayer hall. Architecture and visual art offer two distinct aspects of the church space: the exterior structure and the design of the interior.
The Greek Catholic church in Tarshiha serves the local Christian community and belongs to the Melkite tradition. It can therefore be understood in terms of its community role and religious affiliation, while the dome, arches and icon art are the specific architectural features of the Greek Orthodox church.
Art Venues with History and Programs
The Apter-Barrer Art Center and the art gallery are housed in a historic building that formerly served as a typical immigrant apartment block (“Shikun Rakevet”). Its former residential use and current artistic function bring together architectural history and cultural work at this site.
The art center runs an art school as well as creative and arts-and-crafts workshops for children, teenagers and adults. If you are planning to take part in a workshop, check with the center for current offerings and participation requirements.
The art center and gallery’s documentary film workshop includes an annual project. Its results are shown as part of Docaviv Galil: some screenings take place in the center’s hall, and others at the municipal Palace of Culture. The Museum of the Founders offers another, separate connection to the city’s history; it is located in a residential neighborhood dating from the 1960s.
Archaeological Perspectives in the Northern District
As supplementary regional context, the wider destination of the Northern District offers a view of Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo. Both sites preserve significant remains of cities with biblical connections. At Tel Hazor, the visit focuses on the upper city.
Tel Hazor includes Solomon’s Gate, dating to the 10th century BCE, a gate with six chambers and two towers. The 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. The fortifications are also notable: they are considered the finest example of their kind in the area stretching from southern Turkey to the northern Negev.
Another highlight is Tel Hazor’s underground water-collection system, whose remains represent sophisticated engineering adapted to the geography for storing water. The excavated shaft is 45 meters deep, with three-meter-wide steps cut into its vertical walls.
Tel Megiddo offers a different archaeological focus. Its orthogonal Iron Age city plan has few parallels in the Levant. The Early Bronze Age temple complex is exceptional in terms of the number of its temples, the continuity of cult activity and the documented ritual practices. The regional themes therefore differ considerably: at Hazor, water engineering and fortifications are among the main features, while Megiddo stands out for its temple complex and urban planning.
Tel Hazor National Park can be reached from the north and south via Route 90 toward Ayelet Hashahar. Check your navigation before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Hila, Tze'elim, Kfar Hess, Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, Kfar Adumim, Beit Hashita, Ein Gev, Shaar Hagolan.
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