Ein-Keshatot by Greenstein – Har-Gil Landscape Architecture

Background

Ein-Keshatot Area
The Ein-Keshatot site is located in the southern Golan Heights. At the end of the 19th century, while looking for a railroad route, Lawrence Oliphant discovered by chance the remains of a Jewish settlement from the Mishnah and Talmudic periods. The synagogue was destroyed in an earthquake.
At the site, at a significantly lower level than the entrance area, impressive remains of 3 stone arches above a spring pool and the remains of a magnificent synagogue were discovered.
At the end of the last century, the site was “opened” at a basic level for the public but “merited” only a few visitors. We received an invitation about nine years ago to design the site in a way that would make it attractive, inviting, and accessible.
While planning the site, we respected the sense of the place and the archaeological remains and cooperated successfully with representatives of the regional council, archaeologists, and a professional planning team.
Fortunately, we met the task, and Ein Keshatot became an attractive, inviting, and accessible site that “wins” many visitors.

The Challenge and the Vision
• A connection between the past and the present – the space revives a historical heritage and exposes it to future generations.
• Preserving the spirit of the place – the planning preserved the special local character of the site.
• Natural integration into the landscape – the design emphasizes harmony between the old, the new, and the surrounding landscape.
• Landscape openness – the design encourages open eyes to the near and far landscape.

Elements and Points of Interest
• Entrance foyer
• Comfortable and improved pedestrian walkway
• A narrow road leading to accessible parking, on the lower level
• Observation and explanation plazas
• Remains of impressive stone arches and the spring pools
• The spring plaza for gathering and explanation
• Splash pools of a “natural” nature suitable for children
• Remains of the Syrian village
• An ancient synagogue surrounded by a system of “floating” paths

Ein-Keshatot Site, planning
• The planning also included the creation of a one-way route to allow several groups to visit at the same time:
• Entrance road to the site
• Picnic grove
• Accessible parking
• Main entrance path to the site
• The Visitors Center (foyer)
• A descending path to the spring
• Access road – accessible
• The Ancient Synagogue
• “Floating” wooden paths
• Observation deck
• Wading pools
• The Arches and Spring Plaza

The Entrance Foyer is “Dug” into the Mountain
The “tunnel” descends, revealing a breathtaking vista as you enter the building.

The Foyer Building (Visitor Center), Planning
• A “buried” structure – with local vegetation and grasses on the roof, so visitors shall only notice it when they reach its immediate vicinity.
• Open gazes – keeping the gaze open from the entrance to the building in the direction of the synagogue, the arches, and the spring house, which are located many tens of meters below it and in the distant view.
• Tourist center – in the foyer building, there is a snack bar, seating, and observation areas for the view, and a room for lectures and a screening of an explanatory film about the site, its archaeological remains, and its restoration.

The Ancient Synagogue
Rehabilitation, restoration, and accessibility with the help of a system of “hovering” trails.

The Ancient Synagogue, Planning
• Archaeology – The historic synagogue was conserved, reconstructed using the original stones, and opened to the public.
• “Floating” plazas and walkways—built over the archaeological artifacts to allow visitors to view them without causing any harm.
• Entrance to the synagogue – visitors to the synagogue were directed to the original main entrance (unlike in the past).

The Spring and the Arches
Restoration of the spring pool and addition of plazas and wading pools

The Spring and the Arches, Planning
• The arches building plaza – a plaza for explanation and events of a local nature, but distinct from the archaeological remains.
• A system of canals and a wading pool – a system of water channels and wading pools with a “natural” nature has been developed.
• Lower plazas – new plazas have been developed for the use of groups of visitors, so that they will not disturb the groups’ hearing explanations near the arch structure.

Landscape Finishing Details and Materials.
We used a variety of noble materials.
• Modesty – we chose materials that blend in with the environment while maintaining the character and values of the place.
• Local materials – basalt stone, rock-processed concrete, wood, metal, and local rocks. To differentiate between the new and the old and not to compete with the archaeological remains.
• Harmony and functionality – the design emphasizes functionality, harmonious integration into the landscape, the environment, and the archaeological remains.

Vegetation
Plantings of a local character, given the archaeological remains
• Local vegetation – for maximum integration with existing growth
• Grove trees – for shading along paths.
• Cultural vegetation – around the visitors’ center.
• Flowering wild plants – to add color to the site.
• Vegetation on the roof of the building – shrubs and herbaceous plants of a local nature
• Coordination – The planting and planting were coordinated with representatives of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Tourist Hub
Ein-Keshatot has become a bustling tourist center, combining heritage, scenery, and nature while creating an accessible and inviting visiting experience for a variety of audiences.

Enrichment and Views of the Landscape
A heritage site in minimalist and modest landscape development that revitalizes and makes the space accessible and allows learning about the local history

Event Center
Numerous events are held in Ein-Keshatot.

Heritage Landscapes
Heritage landscapes were restored in Ein-Keshatot. Tourists are treated to striking archaeological features in a visually appealing and captivating tourist destination.

Religious Events
Religious events such as Weddings and Bar-Mitzvah celebrations are among the numerous religious events held at Ein-Keshatot.

• All landscape architecture offices involved in the design of landscape:
Greenstein – Har-Gil landscape architecture and environmental planning

• All architecture offices involved in the design:
Raz Architects

• Other credits:
Management & Supervision | Ramah Project Ltd.
Electricity & Lighting | Ziv, Civil Electrical Engineering
Constructor | Jonathan Alroy
Traffic Engineer | Ami-Metom Engineers & Consultants Ltd.
Water & Sewage | Pelegei Water Ltd.
Signage Design | Studio Y
Reconstruction of the synagogue | Joshua (Jesus) Dray
Archaeological Escort | Israel Antiquities Authority, Haim Ben-David
Accompaniment and Coordination | Representatives of the Golan Regional Council