The idea is a simple one, yet very effective — to display in a manner suitable for families the creatures, such animals, birds, reptiles and amphibians mentioned in the Bible that are either present or were once present in the Land of Israel.
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Visitors go from the main entrance of the building to the second floor either by the stairs or the elevator. A tour includes the Hall of Wonders with some of the more extraordinary created creatures, including from the ocean, with taxidermy specimens and some live animals. A short movie is shown in the Auditorium. This is currently about lions. The Hall of Biblical Wildlife is the main event hall and shows an array of taxidermy specimens representing the animal world of the Bible. It is interesting that some of the subspecies of animals in Israel were different from those in Africa, and hence what we are used to recognizing, but one needs a guide to point this out. Next comes the Hall of Shofers. Many of the shofers displayed are horns that make the right noise but cannot be used on the Jewish New Year. The Hall of Kosher Classification has a display of kosher and non-kosher animals, including live locusts and quails. Visitors are left on their own in the Hall of Small Animals, although there are attendants to help the children. In the Serpentarium are snakes from the Bible and from other parts of the world that children can hold.
Directions: Enter “Biblical Museum” into Waze and click on “The Biblical Museum of Natural History.”
Admission: The museum is open from Sunday to Thursday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and on Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Admission is 50 NIS for adults, 40 NIS for senior citizens, and children from 3 to 18 years 40 NIS. Children up to 2 years of age are free. All visits need to be booked in advance. This includes tours in English and Hebrew and self-touring. A tour lasts 1¼ to 1½ hours. Tours are recommended for children 6 years and older. Children younger than this may not understand a lot of the explanations, but there will still be plenty to occupy them, particularly in the hands-on Hall of Small Animals. An animal handling experience for an hour is recommended for children 2 years and above at a reduced price. Restrooms are on the second floor. There is a small gift shop which also sells cold drinks. There are two shaded picnic benches outside the main door. There may be a kiosk adjacent to the museum selling hot dogs on rolls. This is the museum website.
Public transport: Enter “Biblical Museum” into Moovit and click on “The Biblical Museum of Natural History.” The closest bus stop is a walk of 9 minutes/700 m.
The lion in the Hall of Biblical Wildlife.
On the bottom of the tank are the snails from which teckelet dye is made.
Hands-on in the Hall of Small Animals
A fox and jackal.
Links to the best family activities, hikes and historic sites in the GOLAN, EASTERN GALILEE, UPPER GALILEE, LOWER GALILEE, JORDAN VALLEY & LAKE KINNERET, the SHEFELAH, TEL AVIV-YAFFO and surroundings, NORTH of TEL AVIV, and SOUTH of TEL AVIV.