Mitzpe Ramon

About

Mitzpe Ramon literally translates to “Ramon Lookout” for its location at the edge of the Ramon Crater. Built in 1951 to house workers constructing Highway 40, the town was long considered a dusty backwater. But the spectacular desert scenery and laid back atmosphere has been attracting artists and free-thinkers, who have helped turn the it into a creative destination. In the Spice Route Quarter in particular, old hangars and warehouses have been converted into hip cafes, handicraft shops, and artist studios, including the space of the revolutionary Adama Dance Company. At the literal edge of town, perched on a cliff overlooking the Ramon Crater, the Mitzpe Ramon Visitor Center offers an unforgettable view of the world’s largest box canyon, and details the formation of the makhtesh. Part of the exhibition is the Ilan Ramon Memorial, which honors Israel’s first astronaut, who died in the 2003 Columbia Disaster, and loved the Ramon Crater.