Mount Herzl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Herzl |
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| הַר הרצל Har Herzl |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 834 m (2,736 ft) |
Mount Herzl (Hebrew: הַר הֶרְצְל Har Hertsl), also known as Har ha-Zikaron (הַר הַזִּכָּרוֹן meaning "Mount of Remembrance"), is a very important place in Israel. It is the country's national cemetery. Many special memorial sites and educational centers are also found here.
Mount Herzl is located on the west side of Jerusalem, next to the Jerusalem Forest. It is named after Theodor Herzl, who was the founder of modern Zionism. His tomb is at the very top of the hill. Yad Vashem, a memorial to the Holocaust, is also nearby. Many of Israel's fallen soldiers are buried here too. Mount Herzl stands 834 meters (about 2,736 feet) above sea level.
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History of Mount Herzl
In 1949, the remains of Theodor Herzl were brought to Israel. He was buried on this hill in West Jerusalem. The hill was then renamed Mount Herzl in his honor. Later that year, soldiers who died in the 1947–1949 Palestine war near Jerusalem were also buried here. This marked the beginning of the national cemetery.
Mount Herzl is the burial place for many important Israeli leaders. This includes five of Israel's prime ministers: Levi Eshkol, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Shamir, Yitzhak Rabin (buried with his wife Leah Rabin), and Shimon Peres. Several Israeli presidents and other key Jewish and Zionist leaders are also buried on Mount Herzl.
This special mountain is also where many national ceremonies and celebrations take place.
Theodor Herzl's Resting Place
In 1903, Theodor Herzl wrote in his will that he wished to be buried in the land of Israel. When he passed away a year later, he was first buried in Vienna. Forty-five years later, his wish came true. His remains were brought to Israel and re-buried in Jerusalem.
A special state group chose the top of this hill as his final resting place. He was buried on August 17, 1949. For several years, a simple stone marked his grave. Later, a competition was held to design his new tombstone. The winning design was a plain black granite stone with only his name, Herzl, carved into it.
The area around his tomb was made into a large plaza. The very first Independence Day ceremony was held here in 1950. Herzl's parents, sister, daughter Pauline, and son Hans are also buried at Mount Herzl. His grandson, Stephen Norman, was also re-buried here in 2007.
Israel's National Civil Cemetery
Israel's main cemetery for its leaders and people who gave their lives for the country is on the southern side of Mount Herzl. It was started in 1952. This happened when David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister, decided to bury the finance minister near Herzl's grave. Over the years, other famous people from the Zionist movement were also brought here to be buried.
Great Leaders of the Nation
This special area, called the Great Leaders of the Nation's Plot, holds the graves of many important figures. These include Prime Ministers, Presidents, and other national leaders of Israel. It is a separate part of the Mount Herzl cemetery.
Some of the Presidents buried here are Zalman Shazar and Chaim Herzog. Prime Ministers include Levi Eshkol, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and his wife Leah Rabin, and Shimon Peres. Other notable people buried here are Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek and First Lady Aura Herzog.
Sometimes, deciding who should be buried on Mount Herzl has caused discussions. For example, the decision to bury Ze'ev Jabotinsky, who died in 1940, was debated. However, in 1964, Prime Minister Levi Eshkol decided to bury him there to bring the nation together. Soldiers who have received the highest military honor, the Medal of Valor, can also be buried at Mount Herzl.
Victims of Acts of Terror Memorial
The Victims of Acts of Terror Memorial is a very important monument. It remembers all victims of terrorism in Israel from 1851 until today. This memorial opened in 1997. Every year, a special ceremony is held here to honor those who lost their lives. It is located in the National Civil Cemetery.
Other Important Memorials
Mount Herzl also has other memorials:
- Olei Hagardom plot: For Jewish underground fighters who were executed.
- Common grave of the Salvador immigrants: For 204 illegal immigrants who died when their ship sank in 1940.
- Common grave of the Egoz immigrants: For 44 immigrants who died when their ship sank in 1961.
- Memorial for the Last of Kin: For Holocaust survivors who were the last of their families and died fighting for Israel.
- Memorial for the Jewish immigrants from Ethiopia: Honoring those who came to Israel from Ethiopia.
Israel's National Military Cemetery
The main Israel Defense Forces (IDF) cemetery is on the northern side of Mount Herzl. It was created in November 1949 for soldiers who died in the Jerusalem area. Later, the government decided to make it the main cemetery for all IDF members who died while serving their country. The Israel Police cemetery, for police officers who died on duty, is also located here.
In this cemetery, all soldiers are buried side by side, no matter their rank. Their gravestones are simple, showing only their name, rank, parents' names, and dates of birth and death.
Honoring All Soldiers
The military cemetery also remembers Christian, Muslim, and Druze soldiers who served in Israel's security forces. This shows that all who serve are honored equally.
Garden of the Missing in Action
The Garden of the Missing in Action is a special memorial garden. It honors soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and those who fought for Israel before it became a state, whose burial places are unknown. This includes those missing from 1914 until today. The garden was opened in 2004.
It has "empty graves" and stone monuments to remember these missing soldiers. At the entrance, there is a plaza for memorial ceremonies. There is also a memorial for the missing sailors of the INS Dakar submarine, which sank in the Mediterranean Sea. A memorial wall lists the names of all missing soldiers and fighters.
National Memorial Hall For Israel's Fallen
A national memorial hall was built at the entrance to the military cemetery. It honors the memory of over 22,000 soldiers and security personnel who have died defending Israel since 1860. The hall is shaped like a torch, rising 18 meters (about 59 feet) high. An eternal flame burns there all year. A candle is lit for each soldier twice a year: on the anniversary of their death and on Memorial Day.
Gardens and Views
Above the Herzl Museum and the main plaza is the Nations Garden. Here, many trees have been planted by visiting presidents and leaders from around the world. There are also two small observation decks where you can look out over Jerusalem. A large menorah sculpture stands near the main plaza entrance.
The Stephen Norman Garden is located between the Herzl Museum and the Education Center. It is named after Herzl's grandson, Stephen Norman, who was the only family member to visit Palestine and support Zionism. This garden is a place for groups and students to learn about Mount Herzl. A quote from Stephen Norman is carved on one wall: "You will be amazed at the Jewish youth in Palestine...they have the look of freedom."
Museums and Learning Centers
Herzl Museum
The Herzl Museum is an interactive museum at the main entrance to Mount Herzl. It helps visitors learn about the life of Theodor Herzl. You can discover how he dreamed of a Jewish homeland and worked to make it happen.
Yad Vashem
Yad Vashem is located on the western side of Mount Herzl, on the Mount of Remembrance. It is a large complex dedicated to remembering the Holocaust. It includes the Holocaust History Museum, the Children's Memorial, and the Hall of Remembrance. There are also outdoor sites like the Valley of the Communities.
Yad Vashem also has a research institute, archives, a library, and an educational center. It honors non-Jews who bravely saved Jews during the Holocaust. These heroes are called the "Righteous among the Nations."
A special Memorial Path leads from the entrance of Yad Vashem to the Mount Herzl national cemetery. Along this path, plaques mark important events from the beginning of Zionism to the creation of Israel.
Archaeological Discoveries
Mitspe Karem (Hebrew: מִצְפֶּה כֶּרֶם) is an archaeological park in the Jerusalem Forest, near Yad Vashem. Here, archaeologists have found items from many different time periods. These include finds from the Early Bronze Age, Iron Age, and later Roman and Byzantine times.
Official Ceremonies at Mount Herzl
Mount Herzl hosts several important national ceremonies throughout the year:
- Memorial Day ceremony for Israel's Fallen Soldiers: A day to remember all soldiers who died defending Israel.
- Memorial Day Ceremony for Victims of Terrorism: Held at the memorial for victims of terror.
- Seventh of Adar ceremony: For fallen soldiers whose burial place is unknown, held in the Garden of the Missing Soldiers.
- Independence Day ceremony: A special event held at Mount Herzl Plaza to celebrate Israel's independence.
- Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony: Held at Yad Vashem to remember the Holocaust.
Images for kids
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General David Elazar's grave in Mount Herzl
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Ceremony at Mt. Herzl military cemetery, 2010
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Empty graves with memorial stones.
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Memorial for Eli Cohen.
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Memorials to those lost aboard the submarine INS Dakar
See also
In Spanish: Monte Herzl para niños
- List of memorials and monuments at Mount Herzl
- List of National Cemeteries by country
