Safed is built on the Knaan Hill in the northeastern part of the country, in the Upper Galilee region. From any part of the Old Town, there are wonderful views of the Kinneret Lake, the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Hermon.
It is believed that the founder of Safed is one of the sons of the biblical Noah. The city was so attractive to foreigners that it was conquered several times. It was owned by the crusaders, who built their fortress at the highest point of the city, on the site of which the city park Givat-a-Metsuda, as well as the Mamluk Turks and the British, are now laid out. It is surprising that, despite its difficult past, the city has not lost its charm and now amazes visitors with its eternal youth.
Mecca of artists
The revival of tourist Safed has been greatly facilitated by fashionable Israeli artists, most of whom have their own galleries and workshops here.
Travelers who have stopped in Safed for one day begin their walk around the city with a visit to the information office, which is located in the Wolfson Community Center at the intersection of Alia Bet and Ha-Palmah Streets. Here you can get a map of the city and learn about the most interesting local attractions.
Nearby is the Artists' District, a tangle of narrow eastern streets lined with original shops and galleries. You can enter each one, get to know the owner, watch his work, because in the absence of visitors, the masters do not sit idle, but paint pictures, create sculptures, work on another jewelry masterpiece. Noticing your interest, you will probably be asked to go to the courtyard where the workshop is located and many more interesting gizmos worthy of the attention of collectors are kept.
Most galleries do not allow photography of the artwork on display. This is how creative people protect their copyrights.
Center of Kabbalah
The city of Safed became the center of attention of the entire Christian world in the 16th-17th centuries, when mystical rabbis fleeing the persecution of the Inquisition moved here from Spain and Portugal. After some time, the city became the world center of Kabbalah - a mystical teaching in Judaism, which explains all events through the interpretation of the Torah.
Today, Safed receives thousands of pilgrims, followers of Kabbalah. They strive to visit the World Center for Jewish Mysticism, take courses in yeshivas, visit the sacred burials of famous rabbis in the Ancient Cemetery. It is believed that these rabbis, who long ago died in peace, can still influence modern life. So, Rabbi Yehuda Bar Eli can be asked about solving financial problems, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai - about the recovery and well-being of relatives and friends.
Everything in Safed is permeated with mysticism. Tourists who have been to Greece and have seen houses with blue shutters and indigo doors know that this shade helps keep the house cool. However, in Safed, the use of blue paint on the facades of houses is explained in a very different way. Some guides say that in this way the inhabitants of the city deceive the devil, who considers their settlement as a lake. And others that blue symbolizes closeness to heaven and the Lord.
The windows of the local synagogues - the main attractions of Safed - face south, not east, as is customary. This was done on purpose so that the worshipers would not miss the arrival of the Messiah, who, according to beliefs, will first visit Safed, and only then will go to other cities. And he will appear in Safed from the south.
Finally, on many houses, you can see the image of a palm. The guides will explain that this is a protective sign, and the Kabbalists will add that this emblem is played with the number 10 (the number of fingers on two hands) - one of the most important in Kabbalah.
It is said that Safed cannot be understood simply by reading about it or looking at photographs. Local residents are sure that the true face of their city will be revealed only to those who come here.
To visit Safed, it is not necessary to be a follower of Kabbalah, it is enough to love ancient cities with narrow streets, appreciate beauty, and understand art. And then Safed will receive you favorably and remain in your memory as one of the most beautiful and unique cities on the planet!
