Six unusual museums in Israel

Guess which country has the largest number of museums per capita? In Israel! There are more than two hundred of them. Today we will talk about the six most unusual of them.

Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum / Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum

The heroine Marilyn Monroe claimed that the best friends of the girls are diamonds. If you share her opinion, then feel free to go to the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond and Diamond Museum. They say that this museum presents the most expensive collection of exhibits in Israel.

Here you can admire both real diamonds and other precious stones, exquisite jewelry, as well as copies of the most famous and largest diamonds in the world.

Russian-speaking guides on excursions on the Diamond Exchange of Israel will tell about the history of the diamond industry in the country. In one of the halls of the museum you can watch a video about the formation of diamonds and methods of their extraction, as well as take advantage of informative interactive stands. The most interesting thing happens further, where rough diamonds are stored, the cutting process of which can be observed. Be careful - diamonds have a high magnetism power - it’s hard to tear yourself away from such a sight!

Address: Jabotinsky 1, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv, Israel

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Mini Israel / Mini israel

Mini Israel is an open-air museum where you can see the whole country, in full view. This is one of the largest miniature parks in the world!

The museum is located in Latrun, close to the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway, just a 20-minute drive from any of them.

The park is designed in the shape of the star of David, where each of the six triangles represents one of the cities or regions significant for Israel. Holy Jerusalem, boiling with energy Tel Aviv, resort Eilat, alien desert landscapes, mountains, beaches, gardens - all this can be seen here in one day.

On the vast territory of the park (14.8 hectares) are mini-copies of the historical, religious, cultural and archaeological sites of Israel. A total of 385 models of buildings and monuments were collected, most of which were made on a 1:25 scale. In addition, Mini-Israel Park presents miniatures of animals, various modes of transport, 25 thousand 7-centimeter figures "inhabiting the country", and 70 thousand living dwarf plants.

Some of the exhibits “come to life” from time to time - “fans” rejoice at the stadium, and light is lit in the windows of mini-buildings in the evenings. Israeli experts use interesting sound and lighting effects.

On the territory of “Mini Israel” there is a large recreation area, a lecture hall where you can see stereo films about the country, restaurants, as well as an electric car rental and a small gift shop.

This museum is an ideal option to get a general idea of the country and places that you did not have enough time to see. Noting for yourself the most interesting cities and attractions, you can visit them during your next visit to Israel.

Address: Mini Israel, Latrun, Israel

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Temple books / Shrine of the book

The temple of the book - well, a very unusual museum, is an interesting example of modern Israeli architecture. It was built in the shape of a jug, similar to one of those in which priceless scrolls with fragments from Bible books (they are also called Qumran manuscripts or Dead Sea scrolls) were found, which became the main exhibit of the exhibition. The rest of the museum, that is, the main halls, are located underground, which brings us back to the story of how and where these scrolls were found.

Photo by Noam Chen

Understanding all this is not easy, but for this, a museum was created. Inside is one of the most significant archaeological finds of the last century, a national treasure not only of Israel, but also a world heritage.

The exposition of the Temple of the book contains seven scrolls with biblical texts (texts of the apocrypha), found in 1947 in Qumran, near the Dead Sea. Age of scrolls - III century BC - I AD In addition, you can see the Aleppo Codex - Jewish manuscripts of the Old Testament of the X century.

The manuscripts presented in the Temple are the earliest biblical texts. Absolutely unique place, do not miss.

Address: Ruppin Rd Givat Ram, Jerusalem, Israel

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Madatek Museum of Science (Israel National Museum of Science, Technology and Space) / National Museum of Science - Madatech

Not every science can be touched and checked for yourself, but here it is possible. This interactive museum in Israel turns complex into simple, and boring into very exciting. Astronomy, medicine, ecology, physics and other sciences are presented graphically!

It is definitely worth a visit to CineMatrix - a 4D cinema that acts on several of the viewer's senses simultaneously. The films here are shown in Hebrew, but if you sign up in advance, you can see the English version. Highly recommend.

Address: 25, Shmaryahu Levin, Haifa, Israel

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Museum of Erotica / Museum of erotica eilat

In the resort of Eilat there is entertainment for every taste. If you want to learn something new and unusual, feel free to go to the Erotic Museum - the first and only in Israel.

Erotic painting, photographs, caricatures, products of local artists, objects for love joys and even chandeliers evoke romantic thoughts here. A Russian-speaking guide will conduct a tour of a small museum and tell a lot of fascinating things about modern erotic art. The main thing is to watch and listen without prejudice!

Those who want to go back in time will be shown erotic short films from the 1920s in the tiny cinema of this museum. Some of the exhibits can be bought if desired. Desire may be moderate.

Address: Sderot HaTmarim 9 (at the entrance to the City Center), Eilat, Israel

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Underwater Observatory / Underwater observatory marine park

The unique Eilat Underwater Observatory is located in the heart of the picturesque Coral Reef. Its tower includes two halls extending into the sea to a depth of 12 meters. The inhabitants of the Red Sea can be seen in their natural habitat and in specially designed pools. Museum with live exhibits - what could be more interesting? :)

Photo by Dafna Tal

This marine park is home to over 800 species of fish, as well as stingrays, large turtles, seahorses and other underwater inhabitants. The Underwater Observatory has the largest shark swimming pool in the Middle East. The area of this complex is more than 1000 square meters. Predator movements can be monitored through a 6-meter panoramic window, advancing through a 15-meter tunnel with transparent walls and a ceiling.

Photo by Dafna Tal

At 11 a.m. and further on the schedule, you can see how sharks and other fish are fed. The diver descends under the water, feeds them, simultaneously explaining all his actions. If the children also want to feed the fish, then for this there is an "adventure garden" where you can pet and feed the harmless koi carps.

Photo by Dafna Tal

Address: Underwater Observatory Marine Park, Eilat, Israel

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Of course, the list goes on for a very long time. If you have time to see more, check out the Museum of Cartoon and Comics, the Rockefeller Museum, the Railway Museum and the Palmach Interactive Museum. Recommendation: in no case go hungry at the surprisingly mouth-watering Oil Museum and the Bread Museum.

Useful information that will help you plan your vacation in Israel can be found on the website of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism: tourism.goisrael.ru

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