News and Events
Some 17 acres (70 dunams) of manicured gardens surround the graves of Baron Edmond (Binyamin) de Rothschild and his wife, Baroness Adelheid (Ada). Lush lawns, venerable trees, extravagant roses and seasonal blooms welcome visitors to the park.
The Fragrance Garden, established in 1985, is the youngest of the Memorial Gardens. Seeking a way to enable people with limited or no eyesight to enjoy the flowers, Mme. Dorothy de Rothschild initiated the Fragrance Garden. Designed specially for the visually impaired, it is a place that invites all visitors and all the senses to experience the horticultural splendor of Ramat Hanadiv.
An amphitheatre-shaped complex stands at the heart of the gardens. The outdoor stage at its centre is surrounded by grassed-in ‘steps’ where the audience can sit. Originally designed as a seasonal flower garden surrounded by benches, the area was converted into an amphitheatre even before the official opening of the gardens. Today it serves as the venue for cultural events and conferences, and the lush vegetation around it makes it a natural acoustic environment.
You are invited to check the Amphitheatre’s concert schedule. (There is no entrance fee for concerts.)
The Palm Garden at Ramat Hanadiv presents an impressive collection of palms and palm-like species. The overwhelming majority of them are domesticated species, of which only the date grows in Israel.
Among the large palm trees in the Memorial Gardens one may find the towering Washingtonia palm. The Washingtonia palm was planted along many avenues in moshavim and other settlements established by Baron Rothschild, and became a symbol and identifying sign of the Baron’s moshavot throughout Israel.
Within the Memorial Gardens at Ramat Hanadiv, between the Palm Garden and the Rose Garden, lies a partly hidden, but rather unique garden: this is the Iris Garden
Visitors are invited to come enjoy the exquisite display here of splendidly coloured blossoms from mid-February till the end of March.
These are Iris Oncocyclus (Iris hashoshan) — a group of plants in the Iris family whose flowers are counted among the most beautiful and impressive of all — and a few of them are native to Israel: the Gilboa iris (Iris haynei), the dark purple (coastal) iris (Iris atropurpurea), the Nazareth iris (Iris bismarckiana), and more.
If you follow the path leading to the north-east part of the garden, which overlooks Zikhron Ya’akov, you will be welcomed by a flowering rose garden rich in fragrance and color.
This garden was designed in the French style: it includes different rose varieties, planted in a symmetrical pattern, with meticulous hedges separating the flower beds from the stone paths.
The Italian-style Cascade Garden is built on a series of stone terraces that descend to an open vista of the Mediterranean Sea. The marvelous view is enhanced by the gentle whispering of breezes coming up from the sea and wafting across the hillside, while charming flower beds adorn the terraces year-round with rainbow-coloured blooms.
The gates of Ramat Hanadiv first opened in the spring of 1954, on the day that Baron Edmond de Rothschild and his wife Adelaide were laid to eternal rest in the crypt at the heart of the gardens.
Visitors to the site arrive first at a stone courtyard surrounded by a pool where glowing gold fish swim. At the centre of this plaza stands a large cypress tree. Its tall, narrow silhouette transforms it into a living green memorial candle, growing ever upward.
The Nature Park offers visitors a range of pleasures. Several marked circuits — suitable for young and old, laid-back walkers as well as high-powered hikers – pass through lovely Mediterranean landscapes. Along the way are lookouts where you can see the site of an ancient settlement, a hidden spring, an acclimatization cage for birds of prey, and magnificent panoramas of nature.
Points of interest: Ein Tzur, a spring that flows year round through a tunnel that was hewn in the rock; a shaded brook; observation points overlooking vistas of Hanadiv Valley and the hills of Samaria; prehistoric agricultural areas (reconstructed); an ancient bath house; a rich archaeological complex; and the remains of a farmhouse from the Ottoman period.
Level: Suitable for families
Colour of markers: Blue
Length: Approximately 2.5 kilometers
Hiking time: Approximately 1.5 hours
Departure point: The trail is circular, starting at the trailhead
Recommended seasons: All year
Colour of markers: Red
Length: Approximately 4 km.
Points of interest: A wealth of vegetation, including large Tabor oaks (Quercus itaburensis), woods of Palestine oaks (Quercus calliprinos)), shrubs and vines; panoramic views across the Carmel coastal plain; the prehistoric Kabara cave, now home to a multitude of bats; and the acclimatization cage for raptors, where birds unfit for life in nature are rehabilitated alongside others that eventually will be reintroduced to nature
A three-mile stretch of the Israel Trail (Segment 15, from Har Horshan to Jasser e-Zarka), passes through Ramat Hanadiv.
Ramat Hanadiv has set up two bike trails. The trails offer cyclists in the Nature Park a unique cycling experience, as they pass through a range of sites around the park. Cyclists will enjoy a trail that combines nature values, archeological sites and observation points that offer a view of the park’s landscape.
offers easy riding on dirt tracks. The trail is suitable for both families and less-experienced cyclists. Along the length of the trail, cyclists will pass many points of interest including: the vulture cage, a view of Nadiv River under the pergola, Horvat ‘Aqav – a farm house from the Byzantine Period and a view of the coastal plain. The trail ends at the picnic area.
marked in light blue
7.5 km route
offers a more challenging route that combines 4WD tracks and single track sections and is suitable for more experienced cyclists. Along the length of the trail, cyclists will pass by the vulture cage, a view of Nadiv River under the pergola, Horvat Aqav and a view of the coastal plain, the tumulus field – round stone burial structures, the canary pine grove – a view of Gazelle Valley, Ein Zur Spring, the fortification – Horvat ‘Eleq, Beit Khouri and the picnic grove.
marked in orange
10-km route
About Leaves
During your visit to the gardens, you’ll encounter a wealth of trees. Take a closer look at them: some are Israeli natives, others are imports from distant lands.
Al-Alim, an activity booklet for youngsters (in Hebrew only), is a creative way to discover the range of trees that grow at Ramat Hanadiv. Spread throughout the gardens are ten stone columns topped with casts of tree leaves. With a pencil, crayon, or chalk, kids can rub the casts to produce their own Ramat Hanadiv souvenirs. Suitable for children aged 2+.
The booklet can be purchased at the InfoStore located in the Visitors Pavilion. Price: NIS 5.
Among the Gardens’ paths, you will find easels set up and readily accessible for people of any age: painters and other artists as well as folks who’ve never touched a palette or pastels. Come to sketch and paint — alone, with your significant other, with your children or in a group.
And it’s all free of charge.
Close to the restaurant ‘Mata’im’, at the end of the Visitors Pavilion, is a playground with unique play equipment.
This children’s playground is made mostly from natural materials such as ropes and planks of wood. In this playground, the groundcover is made of locally-produced woodchips and the play equipment is shaded by ancient pine trees. The tall slide provides a beautiful view to the west.
At the end of the Visitors Pavilion, past the restaurant, is a unique, colorful garden, rich in colorful nectar-rich flowers, and shaped like a giant foot. The Footprint Garden was designed as a large butterfly garden rich in nectar-rich plants and host plants that the butterflies can lay their eggs on; the larvae (caterpillars) feed on the host plants’ leaves and the butterflies enjoy an abundance of nectar when they leave the pupa and spread their wings into the great big world.
In the garden stands a personal pedaling device that tells the story of the butterfly’s life cycle. While pedaling, you can listen to a conversation between a girl and a butterfly that will teach you interesting facts about the butterflies in our country.
Ramat Hanadiv’s Visitors Pavilion is located between the Nature Park and the Memorial Gardens. Opened in 2008, it is Israel’s first building to have been designated a “Green Building” by the Israel Standards Institute; it also received certification as a green structure by the LEED association in the USA. The complex offers visitors classrooms, a lecture hall, an auditorium where a film on the Rothschilds is screened; and a kiosk, restaurant, and restrooms in addition to the InfoShop, a one-stop service for planning one’s visit and finding “green” souvenirs and gifts to take home
In the Visitors Pavilion at Ramat Hanadiv is a concept shop offering a shopping experience in the spirit of the local values: innovation, creativity and consideration of the environment.Through different products, the shop exposes visitors not only to a shopping experience, but also to the ideas and values guiding routine work at Ramat Hanadiv throughout the year.
Both the shop’s products and its spatial design echo the themes of nature and environment.
The sales assistants are part of the guide staff of Ramat Hanadiv, and among the shelves, are always happy to give advice on the range of visiting experiences in the Gardens and the Park.
Discover the fascinating story of Ramat Hanadiv
Take a 15-minute break from your visit to the Gardens to watch a short, moving film that will allow you to become acquainted with the place you are visiting, connect to an important period in Israel’s history and enjoy the personal story connected to this place.
Why did this modest, rich man choose to come to a poor, malaria-stricken country?
How did he get involved and lead the establishment of agricultural settlements in Israel?
Why were his Memorial Gardens established specifically at Ramat Hanadiv?
How did this place develop over the years?
Ramat Hanadiv’s ideal location between Haifa and Tel Aviv, nestled among extensive gardens and a glorious nature park, is the perfect venue for a special event.
Businesses, companies and organizations are welcome to hold seminars, meetings, workshops, and other activities in the contemporary, green ambiance of our architecturally distinguished Visitors Pavilion.
Rental Facilities:
• Lecture Hall — The 70-seat auditorium is equipped with advanced technology: DVDs, a projector, wireless internet, and of course microphone and sound system.
• Classrooms — Opening onto a large hall, the classrooms provide a comfortable venue for various kinds of conference meetings comprising up to 140 participants.
• Mata’im — Our kosher restaurant offers a choice of dairy menus, with light meals or full repasts to complement for every kind of gathering. (Link to Mata’im)
• Quick Breaks — During an event or after it, guests can further enjoy some of the activities unique to Ramat Hanadiv: Rambles in the Gardens or Nature Park; workshops, and more. (Link to Activities and Groups)
At the end of the Visitors Pavilion, past the restaurant, is a unique, colorful garden, rich in colorful nectar-rich flowers, and shaped like a giant foot. The Footprint Garden was designed as a large butterfly garden rich in nectar-rich plants and host plants that the butterflies can lay their eggs on; the larvae (caterpillars) feed on the host plants’ leaves and the butterflies enjoy an abundance of nectar when they leave the pupa and spread their wings into the great big world.
Various facilities and services for your comfort and use are located throughout the grounds of Ramat Hanadiv.
Public water fountains are located:
Restrooms are located at three places: adjacent to the picnic grounds; next to the classrooms and kiosk; and next to the auditorium.
The restrooms are open during the Park’s regular operating hours.
The picnic area is located near the secondary parking lot. You are welcome to spend time there before or after your tour of the Gardens.
The area is shaded by the woodland trees, allowing you to enjoy your meal and rest.
For the convenience of visitors: picnic tables, water fountains and restrooms.
To complete your Ramat Hanadiv experience, you are cordially invited to enjoy the culinary pleasures of Mata’im, the cafe-restaurant on our premises. With an accent on absolutely fresh ingredients and healthful eating, Mata’im offers a top-quality (kosher) dairy menu that brings diners to a new appreciation of the earth, of roots, and of the magnificent environment enveloping themselves and the restaurant.
Refresh yourself at the Kiosk with a drink or snack. The kiosk is open daily.
The kiosk at Ramat Hanadiv is open every day of the week
For your convenience, there are two meeting points for groups to gather at.
The first one is close to the bus parking lot and secondary entrance. At this meeting point, stone steps provide seating and shade for about 70 people
The second meeting place is very close to the main entrance to the Memorial Gardens. At this point, wooden benches provide seating for 40-50 people, under the full shade of ancient Ficus trees.
A pleasant breeze is guaranteed here even on the hottest days
Opening Hours
Sunday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. (crypt is closed)
Visiting hours may vary on holidays and festivals.
Last entrance to park: Approximately one hour before closing time.
Directions: How to Get to Ramat Hanadiv
The entrance to Ramat Hanadiv is on Route 652 between Zichron Ya’akov and Binyamina. Signage points westward to Ramat Hanadiv.
For full directions>>
Wednesday, 8th July 2020
Mata’im Restaurant
To complete your Ramat Hanadiv experience, you are cordially invited to enjoy the culinary pleasures of Mata’im, the cafe-restaurant on our premises.
kiosk
Refresh yourself at the Kiosk with a drink or snack. The kiosk is open daily.
The kiosk at Ramat Hanadiv is open every day of the week.
The Picnic Site
The picnic area is located near the secondary parking lot. You are welcome to spend time there before or after your tour of the Gardens.
The area is shaded by the woodland trees, allowing you to enjoy your meal and rest.
For the convenience of visitors: picnic tables, water fountains and restrooms.
InfoShop
In the Visitors Pavilion at Ramat Hanadiv is a concept shop offering a shopping experience in the spirit of the local values: innovation, creativity and consideration of the environment.
Through different products, the shop exposes visitors not only to a shopping experience, but also to the ideas and values guiding routine work at Ramat Hanadiv throughout the year.
Both the shop’s products and its spatial design echo the themes of nature and environment.
The sales assistants are part of the guide staff of Ramat Hanadiv, and among the shelves, are always happy to give advice on the range of visiting experiences in the Gardens and the Park.
Beyond the Gardens
Discover the fascinating story of Ramat Hanadiv
Take a 15-minute break from your visit to the Gardens to watch a short, moving film that will allow you to become acquainted with the place you are visiting, connect to an important period in Israel’s history and enjoy the personal story connected to this place.
The film is suitable for the whole family; it presents the stories of Ramat Hanadiv and Baron Rothschild with adventure and emotion.
At the beginning, middle or end of your visit, don’t miss your chance to watch the film!The film is screened every day of the week, every half hour on the half hour, in the Visitors Pavilion at the entrance to the Gardens.
** Screenings for groups must be reserved in advance here
Have a question? We're happy to help.
