About the City
Kiryat Shmona: Between the Legacy of Tel-Hai and Galilean Growth
Kiryat Shmona, known as the “Capital of the Galilee,” was established in 1949 on the ruins of the village of Khalisa as a development town for absorbing immigrants. The city’s name commemorates the eight fallen fighters, led by Joseph Trumpeldor, who died in the historic battle of Tel-Hai in 1920.
What began as a transit camp (Ma’abara) of tents and tin shacks has transformed over the years into a resilient city (officially incorporated in 1974) that serves as the economic and educational hub of the region. Despite complex security challenges over the decades, the city has remained a symbol of Israeli fortitude. Today, the “City of Streams” blends pioneering history with unique nature and development momentum, continuing to serve as the beating heart of the North.
