Rosh Pinna Things to Do

Although tired we loved strolling around Rosh Pinna, the small cobbled streets along with the numerous steps brought us to many picturesque corners and we liked the fact there weren’t many people around. There are many art galleries in town, you can find some nice paintings or other items like a store with unique colorful glass lamps.

Most visitors come here for the restaurants (we stopped at Rafa’s Hose for coffee) but worth to check the historic center at the top of the hill which was renovated and houses some of the old buildings, the synagogue etc The oldest buildings are one-storey structures with two rooms that were used by the first settles until 1950s.

Pic1:
This old stone building from 1880s (!) was used as Baron de Rothschild's administrative centre and later known as the PICA house (Palestinian Jewish Colonization Association). The first immigrants that came to Rosh Pinna had lots of troubles setting a proper settlement here (they had no farming experience too) so it was the generous help with lots of money from Rothschild that rescued them. The building is a visitors center now and houses numerous historic documents and archives.

Pic 2:
These are Baron de Rothschild's gardens that were built in late 19th century. We walked through on our way up to the Old Part of Rosh Pinna.

I love viewpoints and open landscapes so visiting Nimrod Lookout at Rosh Pinna was a must. It’s an observation point over the Hulah valley but also a memorial site. Nimrod Segev was a local soldier (born in Rosh Pina in 1977) that died in 2006 during the second Lebanon War. He was on duty that day (a loader in a merkava tank) while his tank was hit and the crew at the tank died.

The setting of the viewpoint is tranquil with a beautiful garden nearby, we stood there and listened to the wonderful audio guide (probably Nimrod’s father) in English/Hebrew. There’s a large photo of the view (pic 3) where you can see what you’re looking at (Mt.Hermon etc)

Walking in the old part of Rosh Pina we noticed this Old Synagogue which was open that evening and decided to take a look. At the door they asked us if we are jews because they wanted to find 10 believers for the prayer (typical custom in synagogues). I stood for a while listening to the prayer while I was reading about the Synagogue.

It was the first permanent building in Rosh Pina in late 19th century that was probably built upon the ruins of a much older synagogue. It was initiated by Baron de Rothschild.

Rosh Pina may have been settled by Romanians, but it was Baron de Rothschild who financed a number of early settlements including Rosh Pina, and came to be known as the Benefactor among the locals. There's a lovely garden in his name in the middle of the village, full of beauganvillia and pine trees. The garden is on an incline. At the top is a very intimate and rustic restaurant. Past the gardens is a small enclave of artists and cafes.

Half the fun of Rosh Pina must be strolling along the cobbled main street. You're treated to views of Mt. Hermon in the distance, and beauganvillia and pomegranates up close. You can stop at any one of the restaurants or pubs that dot the street, and enjoy the view and a cold drink or a tasty coffee. You'll see a few bed & breakfasts along here as well.

Here you can see some of the narrow and steep steps you will have to navigate to be able to investigate the upper reaches of Rosh Pina, these are the steps that lead down to several good restaurants, Rafa is one that we found excellent.

This is one of the most beautiful cobbled streets in upper Rosh Pina..but you can also see the "problem"...if you are coming with a car, there is very little parking space...if you can ask someone to direct you to the cemetary, there is parking there to spare, the only problem is that you have to climb 100 stairs to reach the city......

Only a few years ago this was the main street in Rosh Pina, the government offices were here, just off to the left..this is also the area where you will find many of the artists studios and also some fine restaurants.

This is the old cobbled road leading from the modern lower town to the upper old sections, make sure you have good shock absorbers on your car and good fillings in your teeth !!