The Mediterranean Sea is revealed in all its beauty at the renewed National Maritime Museum • You must not miss it!
The National Maritime Museum in Haifa opens its doors after undergoing an impressive renovation, with exciting exhibitions for the whole family that were set up in honor of Passover.
Over 10,000 treasures
The National Maritime Museum in Haifa contains over 10,000 archaeological, maritime, historical and artistic treasures. The spaces of the museum are full of shipping treasures, maritime archeology and ecology. Each and every one will find great interest in the wonderful exhibitions and will immerse themselves in the marine world among the fascinating items that reveal some of the endless secrets in the depths of the great blue.
The new life of the maritime museum
In preparation for Passover, the National Maritime Museum was renewed with the ultimate goal of becoming a cultural port-house. The maritime museum has been updated and significantly enriched its contents and adapted itself to the general population in its nuances so that each and every one can find interest in it and want to return and visit it many times. According to Yotam Yakir, CEO of Haifa Museums, for several years the museum was neglected, and now things are changing and it will receive the investment it deserves.
Dear Number:
For years there was no professional staff and treasurer. Today we are renovating the National Maritime Museum, and are proud to present a long series of refreshing and meaningful innovations like no other, in all respects, all while formulating a unique and deeply meaningful statement. We found quite a few solutions for many questions that arose, such as the appearance of the museum in a few years, its expansion and the place it will occupy in the cultural and social world and in general.
Haifa, not by chance
Adi Shelah, the curator of the new exhibitions, points out that Haifa was chosen as the home of the maritime museum - not by chance: "Haifa is the most important port city in Israel, a city that developed in the sea. This museum is considered a national museum that tells about the maritime heritage of the State of Israel and tells the story of Israel's connection to the sea.'
An exciting and fascinating experience
The new exhibitions found their place on the three floors of the museum, each dealing with the sea in general, and the Mediterranean in particular: shipping, maritime archeology and ecology. Apparently, these topics sound complex and scientific, but the curators of the exhibitions made great efforts in order to make the entire content accessible to children and families and, in general, to people who do not have special knowledge or any background in these fields. In addition to a fascinating tour, the museum provides attractive and developing activities for children. A loved one points out that the experience of visiting the place can last a few hours and even a whole exciting and fascinating day.
Lectures, films and activities
The multi-purpose hall next to the main entrance was also renewed. On its territory, lectures will be given, films will be shown, and diverse meetings and activities will be held. The space is designed to accommodate between 80 and 100 people.
So what's on the menu?
on the third and top floor Hundreds of installations and photos dealing with the development of shipping, from ancient times to the modern era, are presented. The exhibition tells about ancient shipping, trade, reveals the plots of mythological heroes from ancient Greece and Rome, while presenting anchors, scientific tools and weapons made of bronze castings. Visitors pass through 3 capsules and experience the maritime history of its various periods, and even get to see the rare mosaic "Tel Shekmona".
A map throughout history
A huge and impressive installation is displayed at the entrance to the third floor and serves as an introduction to all the exhibitions - a map that tells about the culture and history of the Mediterranean over about 5,000 years and describes the developments and transformations that have taken place in it over time. Ancient Egypt, Greece and the Aegean Sea, the Phoenicians, Rome, the Crusaders, the rise of Islam and much more, appear on the pulsating map.
Why the sea?
on the second floor There is a multipurpose hall. The permanent exhibition in the entrance halls will show visitors ships in a bottle and ship models created by sailors. In addition, it will be possible to watch videos that answer the question "Why go to sea?" And they tell about the research that is taking place nowadays in the Mediterranean Sea. Also, on the same floor, a changing exhibition of the collection of the National Maritime Museum is presented.
The pirates
the first floor invites us to discover the world of pirates. Weapons, ships, statues, dolls, pirate rooms on ships, real life stories of pirates and much more. The experience for children (and adults too) is fascinating: costumes, creative stations and great games. Alongside this, the exhibition SOS - save! Tells about ways of dealing with maritime dangers and the maritime superheroes of our time.
lower deck
lower deck yard, Provides a real and intriguing look at the departure of a boat to the open sea. Here you will learn to tie special rope knots and try macrame and folding paper boats.
Afterwards you can sit and rest in the sun in the museum's courtyard, or organize a happy family picnic!
Opening hours on Passover:
Fridays and holiday evenings 10:00-14:00
Saturdays and holidays 10:00-16:00
Weekdays 10:00-18:00
• The National Maritime Museum, 198 Allenby Ave., Haifa
It was also very desirable and for the sake of the visiting public to also give thought to the establishment of an aquarium with a variety of live fish and perhaps even a larger one that would also include a variety of sharks, and all this in order to connect the visitors and give them the feeling of the sea with all its very interesting components.
Hope someone can implement such a special and even impressive theme, which can promote the maritime museum.