Visitors who want to learn about the Negev through the history of Revivim will find a heritage site at Mitzpe Revivim that traces the beginnings of Jewish settlement in the Negev. Features open to visitors include the Tira, the observation tower and the dam chamber. The Tira illustrates the early life of the small kibbutz; the dam chamber tells the story of attempts to store floodwater for irrigation. Mitzpe Revivim thus focuses on both settlement history and historic waterworks.

The History of the Site and the Rock Cistern

Mitzpe Revivim was founded in 1943 and was initially called “Tel Tsofim”; it was named after Yosef Weitz. The rock cistern also connects different historical periods. It served as the first accommodation for the early settlers, but had already been hewn out of the rock in Byzantine times. During the First World War, the Turkish army had an iron gate installed at its entrance. Its construction, use by the first settlers and the intervention during the First World War offer a distinct historical perspective alongside the story of the site's founding.

Water Engineering in the Dam Chamber

A model in the dam chamber illustrates the historic waterworks, the excavated channels, the river and the storage of floodwater. Photos and explanations also cover how the facility was created and how it worked. This makes it possible to view water management as an interconnected system: the efforts to store water and the channels are part of the same presentation. Visitors interested in historic water technology will find another way to explore the heritage site, alongside its settlement history.

Another Perspective on Revivim

The Golda Meir Archive offers another thematic perspective. During the visit, a film titled “One of Us” in German is shown about the special connection between Golda Meir and Revivim. If you plan to visit the archive, check current details with the operator in advance.

More Destinations in the Broader Southern District Destination

Other places in the broader Southern District destination each offer something different. Avdat National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the route of the ancient Incense Road 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. Remains of Herod’s palaces and intact Roman siege works, among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world, have been preserved there. For a contrast in nature, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is Israel’s largest oasis, featuring springs, waterfalls, ibex and hyraxes, as well as flowing streams. A hiking trail follows the year-round Nahal Arugot stream to a hidden waterfall and pools in its upper reaches; trail conditions may change after floods. The Ramon Crater 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 unusual natural phenomena. Check current details before visiting. Another example in the broader Southern District destination is Besor Park (Eshkol): it lies on the eastern bank of the river by Ein Besor spring and, as an oasis, includes extensive lawns, picnic facilities and children’s playgrounds.

Discover more destinations: Mashabei Sadeh, Ashkelon, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Eilat, Arad, Sapir, Ashdod, Hatzeva.

To the broader travel overview: Southern District.