Golan Heights to Feature New Interactive Museum and Planetarium

The Golan Antiquities Museum is set to relocate and undergo a significant transformation, moving to the Ancient Katzrin Park with an investment of 8.5 million shekels. The new museum aims to present the Golan's archaeological treasures and heritage through an interactive, multimedia, and technologically advanced experience, incorporating artificial intelligence. This project, promoted by the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience under government decision 4057, is part of a broader initiative to develop Ancient Katzrin Park into a major tourism and heritage hub in northern Israel.

The new museum will occupy a 900-square-meter building and is designed as a multi-sensory experience. Alongside original artifacts, it will feature immersive exhibition spaces, multimedia displays, hands-on activities, and AI-driven solutions. The visitor journey will span thousands of years of Golan history, from the "Ghost Wheel" and its basalt landscape to Gamla, the Great Revolt, ancient synagogues, and daily life during the Mishna and Talmudic periods. Key exhibits will include items related to the Battle of Gamla, Hebrew inscriptions, menorah decorations, and other archaeological finds from the region.

A unique aspect of the project is its "Between Earth and Sky" concept, linking the archaeological finds with astronomy. A new, innovative planetarium will be built adjacent to the museum, creating a unified experience that begins with the Golan's terrestrial treasures and extends to the cosmos. Both the museum and planetarium will be integrated into the development of Ancient Katzrin Park, a 25-dunam (approximately 6-acre) site that reconstructs Jewish village life in the Golan during the Mishna and Talmudic eras.

Further development plans for the park include a visitor center, a night exhibit, and additional content initiatives, all aimed at extending visitor stays and enhancing the area's appeal. The existing Talmudic Park, developed by the Government Tourism Company, already offers ancient sites and interactive exhibits. The new museum is intended to connect these archaeological findings with the landscape and context in which their historical narratives unfolded.

Upon completion, the museum is expected to accommodate up to 200 visitors simultaneously, with an average visit duration of 90-120 minutes. The operational potential is estimated at 162,000 to 216,000 visitors annually. Yochai Mali, Director General of the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience, stated that the museum will connect ancient heritage with technology and innovation, attracting new audiences to the Golan and fostering regional growth. Katzrin Local Council head Yehuda Duev added that the new museum is a significant step in Katzrin's development as the Golan's capital and a leading northern tourist destination.