The Upper Galilee Regional Council has embarked on an extensive development project at the Tel Hai Courtyard Museum, announcing a public architectural competition for the design of the site entrance foyer, the construction cost of which is estimated at some NIS 10m. The project is being advanced in accordance with Government Resolution 1311 for the preservation and development of the site and its surrounding area, with the competition marking the first planning step in its implementation. The plan is being carried out in cooperation with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, the Belhovsky family, and Kibbutz Kfar Giladi.
What will the new building include?
The new entrance foyer is designed to connect the historic preservation structure to the future, and to transform the Tel Hai Courtyard into a home for young Israeli leadership. According to the plan, the foyer will include:
Ticket counters, an information station, and introductory content
An archive, a library, and exhibition spaces
A conference center, offices, and a shop
A café, restrooms, and a protected space
A panoramic observation deck on the roof of the building overlooking the Hula Valley and the Galilee mountains
Planners will be required to create environmental and visual connectivity with the western campus of the Kiryat Shmona Academic College, alongside maintaining a clear operational separation of the entrance and parking areas.
As part of the competition, cash prizes will be awarded to the top three places. First place will receive NIS 50,000, second place NIS 35,000, and third place NIS 20,000.
The proposals will be submitted in the coming weeks anonymously in sealed identification envelopes to ensure an open and fair judging process. The judging panel will examine, among other things, the alignment of the proposals with the spirit and values of the site, their integration into the scenic landscape, and execution economics.
Upper Galilee Regional Council Head Asaf Langleben said, "The Tel Hai Courtyard is much more than a heritage and memorial site. Out of the council's obligation to the site, our goal is to transform it into a living center of education, culture, and community. The architectural competition is the first step in connecting the historic heritage of Tel Hai with the future generation of the Galilee and the entire country."
From a historic symbol of valor to post-war renewal
The Tel Hai Courtyard was established as an agricultural courtyard in 1907 and became a kibbutz toward the end of World War I, establishing its place as a symbol of the integration between settlement and security. The site became a turning point in Zionist history following the battle on March 1, 1920, in which site commander Joseph Trumpeldor and five of the courtyard's defenders were killed (in addition to two who were killed in the weeks leading up to it). The defenders' stand ensured the inclusion of the northern finger within the British Mandate and later the State of Israel, expedited the establishment of the Haganah organization, and gave the city of Kiryat Shmona its name in memory of the eight fallen.
During the Swords of Iron war, when northern communities were evacuated and the area was designated a combat zone, site activity was completely halted. With the return to routine, the museum has reopened to the public, and the development project is now getting underway to shape its appearance for coming years.