When the Six Day War ended, an archaeological survey was held which set out to uncover the hidden past of the Golan.

During the survey, archaeologist Shmaryahu Gutman came upon the Bedouin village of Qatzrin, and while touring the village an ornate doorway caught his eye, built of basalt stone and towering above the ruins.

It was the entrance to the ancient synagogue. It had been standing there for 1500 years, awaiting an opportunity to tell the story of an ancient Jewish community.

The story of a community that existed there is engraved in the basalt stone. 25 Jewish villages flourished on the Golan Heights during the Byzantine/Talmudic period. (400-700ce)

Tour Itinerary

• Drive to the north shore of the Sea of Galilee and ascend the Golan Heights, travelling to GAMLA NATURE RESERVE. It was here that the dramatic saga, known as Masada of the Golan, took place when the Roman general Vespasian marched across the Galilee to subdue the Golan at the beginning of the Great Revolt almost 2000 years ago. Nature expresses itself as the Griffon vultures soar overhead in this protectorate region and the wild boar dash through the bushes.
• Visit QATZRIN, the Talmudic town from the 4th C.
• Stop at the archaeological museum in the modern town of Qatzrin, capital of the Golan Heights.
• Possible visit to the famous Golan Winery.
• Drive north to stop for a short walk and view over Devorah Falls or Optional Jeep Tour.
• Descend the Golan Heights to the Hula Valley and ascend to TSFAT (SAFED), one of the four holy cities in Israel, center of kabbalah – Jewish mysticism, and home of many famous rabbi’s including Rabbi Karo, author of “Shulchan Aruch” (The Set Table), which arranged Jewish law in a comprehensible manner . Stroll along the lanes of the Old City with its many synagogues, as well as its unique artist’s colony.
• Return in the evening.

Optional Sites

Sites on the same route and close in themes and therefore can be exchanged or added, depending on personal preferences and time constraints.

Tel Hai: where at Trumpeldor’s memorial statue, the events of the battle of March 1920 are recounted and where the myths of modern Israeli heroism had its beginnings.
Peace Observation Point: in southern Golan Heights with a view of the Sea of Galilee and the settlements at the foot of the mountains, through the eyes of the Syrians, till the 6 Day War in 1967.
Mt. Bental/Valley of Tears: site of one of the largest tank battles in history during the Yom Kippur War 1973.
Golan Heights Optional Jeep Tour: A closer encounter with the nature of the Golan and a local viewpoint on the topics relevant to Israel’s northern communities.