Discover Julis: Gardens and Druze History

Julis brings together landscaped garden spaces, a historic town center, and Druze history. The Muna Gardens make their own impression with well-maintained planting, wooden bridges, and flowing water. The history of the town comes to life in a different way in the old center, Albalad Alqadima, and in the story of Sheikh Amin Tarif. Julis therefore offers a range of starting points for shaping your stay around your interests in nature and culture.

Muna Gardens: Water, Wood, and Planting

The Muna Gardens in Julis are characterized by well-maintained planting, wooden bridges, flowing water, and tucked-away quiet spots. These features give the gardens a character distinct from the town’s historical themes: here, landscaped outdoor spaces and tranquil impressions take center stage. Those planning a trip who want to include gardens alongside local history will find a distinct focus here. The various details—plants, bridges, and water—make the gardens a tangible attraction in their own right, without reducing Julis to a single sight.

Albalad Alqadima and the Olive Press

Albalad Alqadima is the historic town center and the original settlement from which Julis developed. The name thus refers to a central point of reference for the town’s history. The old center is also home to an oil press with millstones that were powered by a mule or another animal. This detail takes the story from the town’s development to a specific historical working method: animal power set the press’s millstones in motion. Together, the original town center and the olive press provide a vivid way to connect Julis’s history with a place and a craft object.

Druze History in Julis

Sheikh Amin Tarif received the Israel Prize for his significant contribution to the Druze community and the State of Israel, as well as for interfaith cooperation. For many years, until his death, he was the head and spiritual leader of the Druze community. His tomb is in Julis. His biography connects the town with themes of religious leadership and interfaith cooperation, adding a personal and social dimension to the history of the old center.

Visits to the Druze Heritage House should be arranged in advance. Include this arrangement in your travel planning.

Archaeological Perspectives in the Wider Northern District

The wider travel destination of the Northern District also includes distinct archaeological sites. Tel Hazor is a biblical tell with significant remains of a city with biblical connections. The visit focuses on the Upper City, which includes Solomon’s Gate, with six chambers and two towers dating to the 10th century BCE. The Canaanite palace at Tel Hazor was used by the kings of Hazor in the 14th and 13th centuries BCE.

Tel Hazor also preserves significant remains of an underground water-collection system for water storage. The excavated shaft is 45 meters deep, with steps three meters wide cut into the walls of the vertical shaft. The system is considered an advanced engineering achievement adapted to the geographical conditions. Tel Megiddo offers a distinct archaeological focus as well: the biblical tell preserves significant remains of a city with biblical connections. Its Early Bronze Age temple complex is exceptional for the number of temples, the continuity of cult activity, and documented ritual activities. The orthogonal Iron Age city plan has few parallels in the Levant.

Choose the Right Search Location

When searching for a vacation rental, you can first decide what you would like to focus on: should Julis itself—with its gardens, historic center, and Druze history—be at the heart of your trip, or would you also like to include the distinct archaeological sites of the wider Northern District?

Discover more destinations: Lotem, Me'ona, Shavei Zion, Lavon, Kafr Kanna, Ramat Yishai, Misgav Am, Beit Keshet

For the wider travel overview: Northern District.