President’s Forest in Tzora Forest - Art & Nature

The Sculpture Trail winds its way through Tzora forest for a distance of around 10 kilometers. KKL-JNF supplied the artists, both veterans and new immigrants, with large chunks of rock, which they transformed into sculptures that were placed along the path, creating a collection of environmental sculpture. Some of the works blend into the existing landscape, while others emphasize the region’s historic past. One work, for example, portrays the heroism of Samson, while another consists of spikes of rock arranged in the shape of a comb – perhaps a reference to the comb wielded by Delilah the Philistine, who was the cause of Samson’s downfall.

In winter and spring, the forest is full of flowers. In early winter, the narcissus and autumn crocus (Colchicum stevenii) emerge from patches of soil amidst the rocks, only to be replaced later by cyclamen, which grows here in great profusion, anemones, Persian buttercups (Ranunculus asiaticus) and many others. Mycologists (and those who like to eat mushrooms, too) will be delighted to come across the tasty white giant fennel mushroom (Pleurotus ferulae), which is generally found in close proximity to the common giant fennel plant (Ferula communis), a tall umbelliferous herb with yellow flowers.

In the southern part of Tzora Forest, KKL-JNF has provided a special footpath for walkers: the Tzora Ridge Scenic Trail, which branches off southwards from the Sculpture Trail, climbs to the top of the ridge and passes through its highest points, allowing the walker to view the landscape from a variety of different angles.

This trail continues for around a kilometer and a half, but it can be walked as two separate circles. In the middle, the path descends to a small recreational area shaded by eucalyptus trees, and at its end, another path ascends to altitude point 401, where visitors receive a sudden “scenery shock” as they are confronted by Nahal Soreq Valley and the expanses of the plain spread out below them in a wonderful conclusion to an enjoyable walk.

Tel Tzora, which is located in the middle of Tzora Forest, is generally identified as the site of the Biblical town of the same name. The slopes of the tel are full of caves, burial sites, cisterns and ancient wine presses that bear witness to the importance of wine production in historical Tzora.

Tzora was the birth place of Manoah, Samson’s father, whose barren wife was visited by an angel who foretold that she would give birth to a son. Manoah detained the angel and offered a sacrifice to God upon a rock. Manoah's son Samson, was visited by the holy spirit: “And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol…” (Judges 13:25).

To the north of Tel Tzora, KKL-JNF has established an observation point (Mitzpe Tzora) shaped like the prow of a ship, from which the magnificent landscapes of Nahal Soreq Valley and the Judean hills can be seen. The stone building that supports the observation point was formerly the home of the mukhtar of the Arab village of Sar‘a, whose remains are still visible, and which has retained the sound of the name of the ancient Biblical city.

The village was occupied in Israel’s War of Independence, and the building served as a temporary command post for the Harel Brigade of the Palmach. Later it was used as living quarters, an office and a storage room by the pioneering settlers of Kibbutz Tzora, until they moved to permanent accommodation.

KKL-JNF has provided three footpaths to the top of the tel, and a picnic and recreation area at the bottom.