Discover Revivim

Revivim brings together the history of early Jewish settlement in the Negev with a vivid glimpse of life in the kibbutz and water management. Mitzpe Revivim is a heritage site that traces these beginnings. The Tira, rock-hewn cistern and dam room bring different chapters to life: from the settlers’ first place of accommodation to attempts to store floodwater for irrigation. If you are interested in history, a visit takes you beyond names and dates to specific places and explanations.

Founding and early kibbutz life

Mitzpe Revivim was founded in 1943 and was initially called “Tel Tsofim.” The site is named after Yosef Weitz. These milestones place the founding of the kibbutz within the history of settlement in the Negev, which the heritage site traces. Areas open to visitors include the Tira, the observation tower and the dam room. The Tira illustrates the early life of the small kibbutz; the different stops bring the site’s history to life through tangible traces.

Water engineering in the dam room

The dam room tells the story of attempts to store floodwater for irrigation. A model illustrates the historic water systems, the excavated channels, the river and the storage of floodwater. Photos and explanations cover the construction and operation of the system. This lets you explore water management not just as historical background, but also through the structures shown and their purpose.

Rock-hewn cistern and archival film

Another stop reaches far beyond the kibbutz’s founding years: the rock-hewn cistern served as the first accommodation for the early settlers. It was carved out of rock during the Byzantine period. During the First World War, the Turkish army had an iron gate installed at its entrance. Several periods of history therefore come together at this single site, whose story is not limited to the founding of the kibbutz.

Golda Meir is also connected with Revivim. As part of the visit to the Golda Meir Archive, the film “One of Us” is shown, about the special connection between Golda Meir and Revivim. If this part is important to your plans, check with the operator for the latest tour details.

Putting Revivim in the context of the Southern District

Across the wider destination of the Southern District, other themes feature alongside Revivim’s settlement history. Avdat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the route of the ancient Incense Route in the Negev Highlands. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve offers a landscape contrast: it encompasses Israel’s largest oasis, with springs, waterfalls, flowing streams, as well as ibex and hyraxes. These examples represent different interests within the Southern District; the history of early settlement and water systems remains Revivim’s specific focus.

When searching for a holiday rental, it may help to start by focusing on the experiences you want your trip to revolve around. If you are especially interested in the beginnings of the kibbutz, its early living conditions and its water systems, Revivim is the right thematic point of reference. Also consider other places in the Southern District if you want to explore regional highlights beyond cultural history.

Discover more destinations: Eilat, Midreshet Ben Gurion, Idan, Mitzpe Ramon, Elifaz, Giv'ot Bar, Ein Gedi, Ein Tamar

Go to the wider travel overview: Southern District.