The Independence Trail

About The Trail


A fascinating journey that takes us from a Hebrew city to a Hebrew state, a trail that begins with the founding of Tel Aviv in 1909 and ends with the Establishment of Israel in 1948.


The trail includes the first homes of Tel Aviv built on sand dunes, the mosaic of Jaffa's history created by Nahum Gutman, the Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium, the Great Synagogue, the Haganah Museum, the first branch of the Bank of Israel, the monument commemorating Tel Aviv's founders, the statue of the city's first mayor, Meir Dizengoff, and Independence Hall – which originally was Dizengoff's home that he converted into the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. On May 14, 1948, it was also the site of the historic ceremony at which David Ben-Gurion Declared Israeli Independence – thereby coming full circle: four decades after the Hebrew City was founded, the Hebrew State was established in the very same place.


 

Maps and further information about the trail can be found in the information center located opposite Rothschild 11. Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 09:00-21:00, Friday 09:00-17:00, Saturday 09:00-21:00


 

The Independence Trail Website- click here

The First Kiosk

 
 
 

The first kiosk was established in 1910 and offered fresh "gazoz" (a drink from simple syrup and soda water in different flavors). Next to him was the first street light of the city.

Nahum Gutman Mosaic Fountain

 
 
 

The work of Nahum Gutman which describes the history of Tel Aviv and Jaffa.

Akiva Arieh Weiss House

 
 
 

Akiva Arieh Weiss was the founder and first head of the neighborhood committee.

Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium

 
 
 

Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium was the first Hebrew-speaking high school in the country and worldwide. Its architecture was inspired by motifs from the Temple in Jerusalem. The school had a major contribution to the cultural miracle that occurred in Tel Aviv: the revival of Hebrew as the national spoken language after 2,000 years during which it was used only in holy texts and prayer. The Shalom Mayer Tower, which stands on the site of the former school, is now home to the Discover Tel Aviv Center that features historical exhibits that document the early days of the city, its cultural life and White City architecture.

The Great Synagogue

 
 
 

Built in 1925, Tel Aviv's Great Synagogue sought to underscore the importance of the city's Jewish identity and unite all its residents – including religious and secular Jews, Sephardim and Ashkenazim. Its dimensions and splendor reflected the city's desire to be a spiritual center. The synagogue was used for prayer, national ceremonies, gatherings, holidays and funerals of community leaders and victims of attacks on Jews.

The Haganah Museum

 
 
 

The Haganah Museum is located in the historic home of Eliyahu Golomb, one of the founders of the Haganah military organization and its commander. The house also served as the secret headquarters of the Haganah as well as a family gathering place for the 'four brothers-in-law' – Eliyahu Golomb, Moshe Sharet (Shertok), Shaul Avigur and Dov Hoz - who were prominent leaders of the pre-State Jewish community.

Tel Aviv Founders Monument

 
 
 

This monument was installed in 1949 in honor of the city's 40th anniversary on the site of the neighborhood committee's offices and the first water tower. The monument depicts the city's development and also features its original logo, which was designed by Nahum Gutman. The logo features a unique icon - a lighthouse, which according to Gutman symbolized the aspirations of the city's founders: that Tel Aviv would be a "gateway for immigrants and a light unto the nations."

Statue of Meir Dizengoff

 
 
 

Meir Dizengoff led the city for 25 non-consecutive years and was, in many respects, the head of the first Jewish sovereign body since the Jews' expulsion from the Land of Israel about 2,000 years earlier.

The Independence Hall

 
 
 

This is the historic home of Meir and Zina Dizengoff. On Friday, May 14, 1948, the heads of the Jewish community gathered in the museum hall for the historic declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel. The ceremony, which lasted for about 30 minutes, ended with the national anthem – Hatikva – played by the Philharmonic Orchestra from the floor above because there was no room in the hall itself.

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