64 national sites to open for free
In honor of Israel's 64th Independence Day, the public is invited to visit 64 historic sites – for free
In honor of Israel's 64th Independence Day, the Culture and Sport Ministry and the Society for the Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites are offering free entrance to 64 of the country's national historic sites on Thursday.
Under the auspices of the project, which attracted some 72,000 visitors when it was launched last year, the attractions will be offering historical re-enactments and new exhibitions.
Mikveh Israel – one of the 64 sites. (Photo: Chen Leopold)
The sites will also be running special activities for children and teens that focus on stories about the founding of the state.
Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat said: "The historic sites of Israel are the best way to tell the story of the vision, the sacrifice, and the belief that led to Israel's establishment and independence."
"I believe that it's right that the citizens of Israel be able to visit these important sites for free on Independence Day. Some are places of joy, and others commemorate loss, but in any case visiting historic sites is the proud act of a nation that knows where it comes from and where it's going," Livnat added.
Omri Shalmon, Director General of the Society for the Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites, said that 72,000 people visited the sites last Independence Day and a total of 2.5 million had visited over the past year.
"The sites' dialogue with Israeli society on Independence Day is a dynamic process," Shalmon noted.
