Israel tour guide > SAFED (Tzfat)
SAFED (Tzfat)
Safed, nestled in the mountains of Upper Galilee, is one of the four sacred Jewish cities, and was once the spiritual centre of Jewish life. Despite being plagued by earthquakes, which have raised the city several times, the faithful have always flocked to Safed and continue to do so. The Sephardic Jews fleeing persecution in Spain, who settled here in the C16 transformed the city into a cultural centre. Ashkenazim Jews from Eastern Europe followed and the final major sect to arrive were the Hasidic Jews in the C18, who were responsible for somewhat of a Renaissance in the city's cultural, artistic and intellectual status.
The Old City enchants the visitor with Crusader castles and Moslem Mosques as well as many splendid Synagogues. Today Safed also attracts many artists and is home to the annual Klezimer Festival of Jewish music.
