Katzrin

Katzrin (Hebrew: קצרין) or Qatzrin is the largest Jewish town in the Golan Heights, with a population of approximately 7,300 (2019).

Understand

Ancient Katzrin (originally Caesarion?) was a Jewish town that existed from the 2nd century until it was destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th century.

Modern Katzrin was established nearby in 1977 as part of an Israeli program of cementing the Jewish presence in the Golan Heights, considered essential to Israel's ongoing security and territorial integrity.

Get in

By bus

From Tiberias: Lines 52 and 57.
From Haifa: Line 503.
From Beit She'an: Lines 843 and 966.
From Tel Aviv: Line 843.
From Jerusalem and the Samaria region: Line 966.

Get around

Katzrin is not particularly big, but to get from the town proper to the industrial zone is a half hour walk. There are infrequent buses you can take between the two.

See

Katzrin ancient village

• 1 Golan Archaeological Museum. (updated Nov 2019)
• 2 Ancient Katzrin, ☏ +972 72-251-1366. Ruins of a Jewish village from the Talmudic period (4th-6th centuries). Highlights include an ancient synagogue, reconstructed houses with household goods and tools characteristic of the era, and (in peak periods) demonstrations of agricultural procedures. (updated Oct 2017)

Do

• Talmudic Meditation A few ancient houses in Katzrin have been reconstructed from their remains by archaeologists. These houses look as they would have in the 1st century, complete with replicas of household tools and items. The synagogue is also partially reconstructed from its ruins. Important Talmudic readings have been placed in these reconstructed places to allow for a meditative experience for a pilgrim, tourist, or student in an area that looks and feels like an ancient Jewish village.
• Olea Essence. An olive oil factory which has a tour explaining the oil manufacturing process, and offering samples of olive oil for both eating and cosmetics. 

Eat

• 1 Meat Shos (מיטשוס), Qatzrin, ☏ +972 4-696-3334. opens 13:00. A steak house popular with the locals in Qatzrin. 

Drink

• 1 Golan Heights Winery, ☏ +972 4-6968483, +972 4-696-8409. Take a guided tour of the winery facilities for a fascinating insight into how the wines pressed here are produced from start to finish. Visitors can also partake in a wine tasting and purchase alcohol and other souvenirs from the gift shop. (updated Oct 2017)
• 2 Salokiya (יקב סלוקייה), 12 St, ☏ +972 4-696-3334. opens 12:00. Great wines. 
• 3 The Golan Brewery (next to "Kesem HaGolan"), ☏ +972 4-6961311, +972 53-944-3875. opens 11:00. Located in "Kesem Hagolan", the Golan Visitors Center, close to the Golan Heights Winery. Established in 2006, brewing German Style Beer by a German brewmaster. They offer 4 to 5 types of beer, including a genuine Bavarian "Weizen". Open every day. Also: http://brewhouse.rest.co.il/. 

Sleep

• 1 Golan Garden Hostel, Qatzrin (right next to Yehudiya Nature reserve), ☏ +972 53-4303677, info@golangarden.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Outdoor-oriented, cozy and clean home-style hostel. ₪85–350. 

Go next

As the primary population center in the Golan Heights, Katzrin forms an ideal base for exploring nearby sites of interest, such as Gamla.