Rosh Pinna, literally translated into "Cornerstone", is one of the oldest Zionist settlements in Israel. Originally established by local Jews in 1878, it was abandoned until a group of Romanian Jews settled it in 1883 and named it for the first in Psalms 118:23: "The stones the builders rejected has become the cornerstone."
With a population of just over 3,000, it looks out over the Sea of Galilee and connects to Tsfad, the highest city in all of Israel.
Not long after it was settled by the 30 Jewish Romanian families, it came under the patronage of Baron Edmond James de Rothschild. He commissioned some beautiful, landscaped gardens that are open to the public to enjoy in this beautiful place.
In Rosh Pinna, there isn't a ton to see, but it's a beautiful town, and the Baron's garden is definitely worth seeing. I also got to walk through the 'old town', which is so cool. You can see original buildings like the synagogue, the administrative offices, and more. There's an arts community there, which is always fun to explore.
My favorite part was going to Nimrod's Lookout, a memorial view point dedicated to Nimrod Segev, a young man who died in the Second Lebanese War. The observation terrace itself has a beautiful view (see pics at the top of this post and this one below). But when a man walked up to my friends and I and asked if we knew the story of this lookout, we were surprised to find out he is the father of the young man who it is named for. He told us the story of his son, and how he fought bravely for Israel. It was powerful to hear his story and to be able to honor him and his son by listening and appreciating the view point.
If you are ever in the Upper Galilee, Rosh Pinna is a beautiful spot you don't want to miss!
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