Zikhron Ya'akov

About

Zichron Yaakov was founded in 1882 by a group of 100 Jewish pioneers from Romania. The rocky slopes of Mount Carmel proved difficult to farm, and beset by an outbreak of malaria, many abandoned the settlement within the first year. Fortunately, French-Jewish philanthropist and winemaker Baron Edmond James de Rothschild stopped here during his visit to Israel and found the hill offered superb wine-growing properties. He established a winery, and revitalized Zichron Yaakov as a winemaking town. Today, the main street preserves many of the original buildings, with the First Aliyah Museum telling the town’s origin story. Aside from the relaxing atmosphere, the main draw is a visit to the famed Carmel Winery - the oldest and largest in Israel. On the outskirts of town are the beautiful (and free!) Ramat HaNadiv gardens, made in honor of Baron Rothschild, and centered around the crypt of the Baron and his wife.