The museum has many exhibitions. The temporary ones were great. Be sure to take an audio guide to improve the visit.
The Israel Museum Jerusalem
Founded in 1965, the Israel Museum is the country’s largest cultural institution, comprising several wings and large collections of art, archaeological findings and Judaica.
Its recent major facelift only makes the Israel Museum even more of a must-see. The museum reopened in the summer of 2010 after long months of renovations, featuring many new galleries and public spaces as well as a completely revamped design to many of its wings.
One of the major highlights of the museum—and one of the city’s more recognizable landmarks—is the distinctly shaped Shrine of the Book, which houses many ancient manuscripts including the Dead Sea Scrolls. Nearby, lending historical context to some of these priceless manuscripts, is a definitive grand model of the Second Temple and surrounding Jerusalem neighborhoods circa 2000 years ago.
Other highlights include the Youth Wing, providing children and the young-at-heart with fascinating exhibitions and programming, and the Billy Rose Art Garden, which showcases the development of western sculpture over the centuries and features works by many top masters including Auguste Rodin, Claes Oldenburg and Jacques Lipchitz.
The museum’s Fine Arts Wing displays works from all over the world and does justice to the museum’s eclectic, interdisciplinary approach. Like other sections of the museum, the Fine Arts Wing has recently been reorganized into various categories such as Modern Art, Israeli Art, European Art, and Contemporary Art. The installations are organized in such a way as to emphasize shared themes and facilitate an inter-textual dialogue between similar images. A new 2,200-square-meter gallery floor is devoted to changing displays of contemporary art.
In the Archaeology Wing, visitors can take stock of the many cultures which called the Land of Israel home over the centuries. The objects are organized chronologically, through seven different “chapters” beginning with prehistoric finds.
For one of the richest cultural experiences Israel has to offer, make sure to devote at least a day to the Israel Museum, and in addition to the exhibitions, check out our Events for Israel Museum happenings such as wine and kite festivals.
Enjoy the museum's acclaimed restaurant
Adjacent to the Israel Museum, a design befitting its artistic host and a local menu of Jerusalem dishes with a MODERN twist. Read more
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 4305 traveler reviewsNew
“Great museum with fine exhibition”
New
“The dead sea scrolls are here - don't miss them”
This is a well designed modern museum housing exhibits ranging over thousands of years. You can see the dead sea scrolls, Freud's secret society rings and artifacts as well as the latest Israeli inspired fashion. Great activity particularly for a rainy day which in December was not rare.
New
“High Quality Museum”
Unfortunately, due to the constraints of our touring schedule, we arrived with a little more than an hour before closing. The person at the ticket desk was kind enough to let us know that if we waited until exactly 4:00pm, we could enter at no charge. We took his advice and ended...
MoreUnfortunately, due to the constraints of our touring schedule, we arrived with a little more than an hour before closing. The person at the ticket desk was kind enough to let us know that if we waited until exactly 4:00pm, we could enter at no charge. We took his advice and ended up having just enough time to see the Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period (our primary reason for visiting the museum) and the Dead Sea Scroll exhibit. Both exhibits were excellent! There was obviously a lot more to see. Perhaps some day we will have the opportunity to spend more time in this museum.
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