Katzrin
Katzrin (Hebrew: קצרין) or Qatzrin is the largest Jewish town in the Golan Heights, with a population of approximately 7,000.
Understand
Ancient Katzrin (originally Caesarion?) was a Jewish town that existed from the 2nd century until it was destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th century.
Modern Katzrin was established nearby in 1977 as part of an Israeli program of cementing the Jewish presence in the Golan Heights, considered essential to Israel's ongoing security and territorial integrity.
Get in
By car
By bus
From Tiberias: Lines 52 and 57.
From Haifa: Line 503.
From Beit She'an: Lines 843 and 966.
From Tel Aviv: Line 843.
From Jerusalem and the Samaria region: Line 966.
Get around
The town is very small and you can get from place to place on foot.
See
Katzrin ancient village
- 1 Golan Archaeological Museum.
- 2 Ancient Katzrin, ☎ +972 72-251-1366. Ruins of a Jewish village from the Talmudic period (4th-6th centuries). Highlights include an ancient synagogue, reconstructed houses with household goods and tools characteristic of the era, and (in peak periods) demonstrations of agricultural procedures.
Do
Talmudic Meditation A few ancient houses in Katzrin have been reconstructed from their remains by archaeologists. These houses look as they would have in the 1st century, complete with replicas of household tools and items. The synagogue is also partially reconstructed from its ruins. Important Talmudic readings have been placed in these reconstructed places to allow for a meditative experience for a pilgrim, tourist, or student in an area that looks and feels like an ancient Jewish village.- Olea Essence. An olive oil factory which has a tour explaining the oil manufacturing process, and offering samples of olive oil for both eating and cosmetics.
Buy
Eat
Drink
- 1 Golan Heights Winery, ☎ +972 4-6968483, +972 4-696-8409. Take a guided tour of the winery facilities for a fascinating insight into how the wines pressed here are produced from start to finish. Visitors can also partake in a wine tasting and purchase alcohol and other souvenirs from the gift shop.
- 2 Salokiya (יקב סלוקייה), 12 St., Qatzrin, ☎ +972 4-696-3334. opens 12:00. Great wines, great choice.
- 3 The Golan Brewery (next to "Kesem HaGolan"), ☎ +972 4-6961311, +972 53-944-3875. opens 11:00. Located in "Kesem Hagolan", the Golan Visitors Center, close to the Golan Heights Winery. Established in 2006, brewing German Style Beer by a German brewmaster. They offer 4 to 5 types of beer, including an genuine Bavarian "Weizen". Open every day. Also: http://brewhouse.rest.co.il/
Sleep
- 1 Golan Garden Hostel (closed for renovation), Qatzrin, ☎ +972 53-4303677, e-mail: info@golangarden.com. Popular in the past. Check for updates on its availability.
Go next
As the primary population center in the Golan Heights, Katzrin forms an ideal base for exploring nearby sites of interest, such as Gamla.
