Midreshet Ben Gurion brings together local history, historical collections, and a distinctive surrounding landscape. The Ben-Gurion Archive is located in an educational center (Midrasha) named after Ben-Gurion, from which the present-day settlement developed. At the foot of Midreshet Ben Gurion, the Nahal Zin cuts through a deep gorge. A clear historical focus and a distinctive natural feature thus come together.
An Archive with Diverse Collections
The Ben-Gurion Archive preserves his diaries, as well as letters to and from him, dating from around 1900 to 1973. It also holds speeches, records of the organizations and institutions in which he was active during the 20th century, and other items of this kind. The collection therefore includes personal documents as well as material relating to his institutional work. This breadth is a particular highlight for travelers interested in historical sources.
Gorge, Springs, and Another Ben-Gurion Site
At the foot of Midreshet Ben Gurion, the Nahal Zin cuts through a deep gorge. Three springs feed a year-round stream and an oasis there; the watercourse and the oasis are therefore part of the same spring-fed landscape.
Ben-Gurion’s hut is located in Kibbutz Sde Boker, near Midreshet Ben Gurion; a footpath along the promenade leads to it. The archive, by contrast, is in the educational center from which the settlement developed. The two sites are therefore clearly distinct geographically.
More Destinations in the Southern District
Travelers exploring destinations in the wider Southern District beyond Midreshet Ben Gurion will find a variety of historical 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 AD. The site also preserves the remains of Herod’s palaces and intact Roman siege works, among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world.
The Southern District’s natural attractions also offer a variety of highlights. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve encompasses Israel’s largest oasis, with springs and waterfalls, ibex and hyraxes, as well as flowing streams. A hiking trail in the reserve follows the year-round Nahal Arugot to a hidden waterfall and pools in its upper reaches. Conditions on the routes may change after floods; check the latest conditions before hiking.
At the Ramon Crater, the visitor center 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. The crater is part of the Zin Cliffs and Negev Highlands nature reserves.
Besor Park (Eshkol) is another oasis in the Southern District. Its landscape includes extensive lawns, picnic facilities, and children’s playgrounds. Unlike the gorge at Nahal Zin and the waterways at Ein Gedi, the scene here is shaped by parkland and picnic areas.
Discover more destinations: Ashdod, Mashabei Sadeh, Sede Boker, Eilat, Meitar, Mitzpe Ramon, Idan, Amatzia
For the wider travel overview: Southern District.
