Hiked from the Windmill all the way up in morning. Amazing things to discover and learn. You can spend the whole day there! There in 2018. Travel date below shows only 2022 and 2023 for me to click.
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Soak up Culture and Art at the Israel Museum
The Israel Museum, ranked among the leading museums in the world, invites you to experience an atmosphere with a difference with attractions for the whole family to enjoy. The entry ticket allows you to wander through the international Art Garden, as well as among all the fascinating permanent exhibitions currently on display. In addition to these world-class exhibitions, noteworthy for their archeological value, Jewish culture and art, and general art, the museum offers exhibitions for the family and activities for all ages during the festival periods.
A digital guide that provides explanations on the exhibitions and displays, is included in the entry fee, and a game application serves as interesting, educational entertainment while visiting the Jewish culture and art galleries.
What Can You Expect at the Israel Museum?
Shrine of the Book and the Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period
The Shrine of the Book is home to exhibits that are among some of the most important archeological findings for humanity: The Dead Sea Scrolls. These scrolls are the oldest hand-written manuscripts in the world, written from the second century BCE to the first century CE.
Next to the Shrine of the Book is a model of Jerusalem, as it looked during the second Temple era – one of the museum’s most fascinating additions. The model recreates the city as it was in 66 CE, the year of the Great Revolt against the Roman Empire, which ultimately led to the destruction of the city and the Temple.
The Art Garden
The international Billy Rose Art Garden is considered one of the most beautiful sculpture gardens in the world. It was designed by the Japanese-American sculptor, Isamu Noguchi, and is a meeting point for different cultures from the East and West, with the dramatic backdrop of the Jerusalem skyline. The garden sculpture collection includes the works of Henry Moore, Menashe Kadishman, Pablo Picasso, Claes Oldenburg, Auguste Rodin, and James Turrell, among other top-tier artists.
The Archeological Galleries
The archaeological gallery is a showcase of the rich and fascinating heritage of a myriad peoples and cultures that have called the Land of Israel home over the past million and a half years. The Land of Israel’s archaeological collection is considered one of the leading collections of its kind in the world due to its quality and scope.
The exhibition takes the visitor on a one-of-a-kind journey deep into the country’s history. It begins with prehistoric times and concludes with the beginning of the Ottoman period. The gallery offers a glimpse of the lifestyles, beliefs, and worldviews of the inhabitants and rulers of the country spanning distant times in history through its exhibits, which present historical events that changed the face of humankind: cultural achievements, technological innovations, and artistic creations are depicted through the thousands of antique objects on display, many of which are the only one of its kind.
The Art Galleries
The art galleries display works of art that encompass both Western and Eastern cultures from all time periods. The remodeling of the galleries highlights the connections between all the works of art: European works from the 16th to the 19th centuries; modern art; Israeli works of art; contemporary art; and art from the continents: Africa, America, Oceania, and Asia; photography; drawings and prints; and architecture and design. The exhibition emphasizes the correspondence and common themes between art from different eras and regions, highlighting the commonality of human culture.
Jewish Art and Culture Galleries
The story of the diaspora communities, from the Middle Ages to the present day unveils itself to the public through an expansive collection of objects, both sacred and commonplace. The exhibits were used by members of Jewish communities spread over several regions, among which are North Central Asia, Africa, Europe, and Israel. The artistic styles, as well as the diverse uses for the objects and materials, reveal the similarities and differences between the various customs and traditions of the different Jewish communities, drawing a lavish picture of their lives, which were infused with the sacred and the everyday.
DISCOUNT for iTravel Jerusalem site users
- Adult – NIS 49 instead of NIS 54
- Children ages 5-17 – NIS 24 instead of NIS 27
- The entrance ticket grants entry to the museum only, and at regular hours (not on holidays, or for events and special activities)
Good to Know
- You can download a free voice guide app for the permanent and changing exhibitions
- The activity in the museum is suitable in any weather
Exhibitions at the Israel Museum
Events at the Israel Museum
TripAdvisor Reviews
You can get overwhelmed quickly if you don't take your time and pace yourself. It's an incredibly well thought out museum, all the way around!
The Israel Museum presents treasures from a variety of fields: Israeli and international art, archaeology, Judaica and more. The explanations provided by the museum's volunteer guides during the free tours are interesting and enjoyable.