Biriya |
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1. The forest
(from Safad to Mahanayim via Amuka) Description of the site\Descrierea parcului Pictures (my visit)\Poze (vizita mea) |
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2. The Fortress Description of the site\Descrierea parcului Pictures (my visit)\Poze (vizita mea) |
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3. Scenic Road Pictures (my visit)\Poze (vizita mea) |
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updated:
26.07.08 10:27
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Location: Upper Galilee |
Area: Some 20,000 dunams (5,000 acres of 200 ha.) |
Unique features: The forest grows 900 meters above sea level. |
Sites: Biriya Fortress, Warrior's Path, Rabbi Yonatan Ben-Uziel's Tomb, Ein Zeitim Recreation Area, Nevuriya Ruins, Bat Yaar Stables. |
The Biriya Forests were planted mainly during the Thirties
and Fifties, when Keren Kayemet Le`Israel - Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF)
provided jobs to unemployed new immigrants who planted trees to help
green the country's barren hills. |
KKL-JNF has built in the forest many recreation areas equipped with picnic tables, water, children's playgrounds and sports facilities. Special tables designed for the use of the disabled have b een installed in the forest as well. Parking bays and easy to use access paths have been built by these tables. In addition, KKL-JNF has established a fire observation tower in the forest.Visitors to the Lahav Forest may explore the many, archaeological sites which were discovered in its area. The attractions included in these archaeological sites prove that they were inhabited from the Bronze era until the time of the Second Temple.The Joe Allon Center for Bedouin studies is located at the east end of the Lahav Forest. |
Biriya was founded in January 1945 (the time of the British
"White Paper" restrictions) on Keren Kayemeth Le-Israel - Jewish
National Fund (KKL-JNF) prepared land.
It was one of three outpost Galilee settlements, referred to as "castles,"
established by the religious division (Bnei Akiva) of the Palmah and Hagannah
army corps. The soldier-settlers, who built the Biriya stone fortress which
includes a tower and walled courtyard, were employed by KKL-JNF in forestry
work, digging tree wells and planting saplings.
In February 1946, the British discovered in the fortress
an arms "cache" belonging to the Palmah; they seized the fortress,
captured 32 members of the group and sentenced them to the Acre prison on
charges of illegal arms possession.
Some weeks later, on the 11th of Adar, the day when
Tel Hai was first established, 3000 people loaded with equipment and personal
possessions, established Biriya Bet (i.e,`the second Biriya`). This operation
was nicknamed "The One-Armed Operation" after Joseph Trumpeldor.
The startled British authorities waited until the crowd
had dispersed, set fire to the new settlement, demolished its buildings and
imprisoned its defenders. As soon as the news broke Hundreds of people from
all over Eretz Israel rushed to Biriya to start rebuilding the destroyed site
for the third time. Faced with such Jewish determination, the British Army
retreated, allowing the settlers to remain.
After Israel's War of Independence, a new immigrants? moshav was established at Biriya.
At present, the Biriya Fortress functions as a museum which is open to the public on weekdays (Sun-Thur) from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
Next to the museum, KKL-JNF has built a fire observation tower which also serves as a lookout point affording a panoramic view of the northern Galilee, the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon. The regional office of KKL-JNF's Afforestation Department is located on the Biriya Fortress grounds.