The History of Mount Herzl: From Vision to National Symbol
- Sagi Haim Levy
- May 4
- 6 min read
To truly understand Mount Herzl, one must look back to the late 19th century. Before it became the manicured national landmark it is today, this ridge, known in Arabic as el-Bad, was a barren, rocky hillside on the western edge of Jerusalem. Its transformation into the "Mount of Remembrance" is a reflection of the Zionist journey itself.
The Vision of Theodor Herzl
The story begins with Theodor Herzl, a secular Jewish journalist from Vienna. In 1897, he organized the First Zionist Congress, famously writing in his diary, "At Basel, I founded the Jewish State." Herzl died young at 44, long before his dream was realized. In his will, he requested to be buried in Vienna next to his father until the Jewish people could bring his remains to the Land of Israel.
In 1949, just one year after Israel declared independence, the new government fulfilled this promise. They chose this specific hill because it stood in direct view of the Old City but represented the new, sovereign Israel.
A Sanctuary for Leaders and Soldiers
The site was officially inaugurated as the National Military Cemetery during the 1948 War of Independence. At the time, Jerusalem was under siege, and traditional burial grounds (like the Mount of Olives) were inaccessible or under Jordanian control. Mount Herzl became the sacred ground where the defenders of the newly born state were laid to rest.
Over the decades, the mountain's role expanded:
1950s: The Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center was established on the western slope (Har HaZikaron), linking the tragedy of the Holocaust to the rebirth of the Jewish nation.
1952: The Helkat Gedolei Ha'Uma (Plot of the Great Leaders) was established to honor those who shaped the country's laws and spirit.
Modern Era: The mountain has evolved into a site of national unity. It is the place where Israel transitions from its deepest grief on Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) to its greatest joy on Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day).
8 Historical Landmarks of Mount Herzl
1. The Garden of the Missing in Action This memorial garden is dedicated to soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces whose burial places are unknown.
The History: It includes a memorial wall with the names of hundreds of soldiers dating back to 1948. For families with no grave to visit, this garden serves as their primary site of mourning and remembrance.
2. The Monument to the "Lamed Heh" (The 35) This area commemorates a convoy of 35 soldiers who were killed in January 1948 while attempting to bring medical supplies and ammunition to the besieged kibbutzim of Gush Etzion.
Significance: Their story became a foundational myth of Israeli bravery. You can see their collective graves, which were moved here after the area was recaptured in 1967.
3. The Victims of Acts of Terror Memorial This is the central memorial for all civilian victims of terrorism in Israel. It includes the names of thousands of men, women, and children who have lost their lives from the mid-19th century to the present day.
What to look for: The black marble walls are organized chronologically, providing a sobering visual timeline of the civilian cost of the conflict.
4. The Dakar Submarine Memorial Dedicated to the 69 crew members of the INS Dakar, a submarine that vanished in the Mediterranean in 1968.
The Design: The memorial is built to resemble the hull of a submarine, partially submerged in the earth. It remained a place of mystery until the wreckage was finally discovered in 1999.
5. The Monument to the Jews of Ethiopia This moving memorial honors the thousands of Ethiopian Jews who perished during "Operation Brothers" while trekking through the Sudanese desert to reach Israel in the 1980s.
Cultural Detail: Built in the style of a traditional Ethiopian village structure, it tells a story of immense faith and the longing for "Yerusalem" (Jerusalem).
6. The Paratroopers' Memorial A dedicated section for the soldiers of the Paratroopers Brigade, particularly those who fell during the breakthrough to the Old City in the 1967 Six-Day War.
Historical Context: This site is often used for swearing-in ceremonies for new paratroopers, linking the soldiers of today to the legends who liberated the Western Wall.
7. The "Exodus" and Ma'apilim Memorials Scattered through the mountain are monuments dedicated to the Aliyah Bet—the "illegal" immigration of Holocaust survivors who tried to breach the British blockade before 1948.
The Story: These landmarks honor those who survived the camps only to perish at sea or in British detention camps, emphasizing the desperate struggle for a safe haven.
8. The Common Grave of the Defenders of the Old City In 1948, the Jewish Quarter of the Old City fell to the Jordanian Arab Legion. The bodies of the defenders remained in a mass grave until the city was reunited in 1967.
The History: Their remains were eventually brought here to Mount Herzl and buried in a single, large tomb, representing the collective sacrifice made for the heart of Jerusalem.
Prominent Figures at Mount Herzl
1. Theodor Herzl (1860–1904)
The visionary father of modern Zionism. Though he died in Austria decades before Israel’s birth, his remains were brought to Jerusalem in 1949. His tomb is the mountain's highest point, symbolically watching over the state he predicted.
The Legacy: He famously said, "If you will it, it is no dream." His grave remains the site of Israel's main Independence Day celebrations.
2. Golda Meir (1898–1978)
Israel’s first and only female Prime Minister. Known as the "Iron Lady" of Israeli politics, she led the country during the harrowing days of the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
What to look for: Her grave is surprisingly modest, reflecting her "kibbutznik" roots and down-to-earth personality.
3. Yitzhak Rabin (1922–1995)
A legendary general and two-time Prime Minister who was assassinated in 1995. His grave is one of the most visited sites on the mountain.
The Design: He is buried alongside his wife, Leah. Their joint tomb is made of black and grey stones, designed to represent the "two sides" of the peace process and the rift in the nation following his death.
4. Shimon Peres (1923–2016)
A Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former President and Prime Minister. Peres’s career spanned the entire history of the state, from working alongside David Ben-Gurion to championing Israel's high-tech "Start-Up Nation" identity.
Highlight: His grave is located near Rabin's, marking the close yet complex partnership of these two architects of the Oslo Accords.
5. Ze'ev Jabotinsky (1880–1940)
The ideological leader of Revisionist Zionism and the founder of the Jewish Legion. His burial here in 1964 was a major historical moment, as it represented a reconciliation between different political factions in Israel.
The History: Unlike the main leaders' plot, his grave is located in a separate, stately area on the western slope, fulfilling his request to be buried in the Land of Israel only by order of a sovereign Jewish government.
6. Chaim Herzog (1918–1997)
The 6th President of Israel, a decorated soldier, and a former Ambassador to the UN. He is famously remembered for tearing up the "Zionism is Racism" UN resolution at the podium in 1975.
Family Note: He is the father of Israel’s current President, Isaac Herzog, making the family’s link to Mount Herzl a multi-generational one.
7. Teddy Kollek (1911–2007)
The legendary "Builder of Jerusalem" who served as the city’s mayor for 28 years. He was responsible for modernizing the city and creating the Jerusalem Foundation, the Israel Museum, and the Biblical Zoo.
Significance: While most buried here are national leaders, Kollek was granted a place in this section because of his unparalleled impact on the development of Jerusalem.
8. Hannah Szenes (Cenesh) (1921–1944)
A paratrooper and poet who volunteered to parachute into occupied Europe during WWII to rescue Jews. She was captured and executed by the Nazis in Hungary.
The Connection: Her remains were brought to Israel in 1950. As a symbol of ultimate sacrifice and Zionism, her grave in the paratrooper section is a site of pilgrimage for many young Israelis and soldiers.
Visitor Info: Mount Herzl
Location: Western Jerusalem, at the end of the Light Rail line.
State Ceremonies: If you visit in late April or early May, be aware that the site may have restricted access due to rehearsals for the National Independence Day ceremony.
Maps & Navigation: You can find digital maps at the entrance near the Herzl Museum to help navigate the different historical plots.
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The history of Mount Herzl is the history of Israel, built on dreams, defended with courage, and remembered with unwavering respect. It is an essential visit for anyone looking to understand the "why" behind the Jewish State.
Want to walk the paths of Israel’s founders? let's plan your meaningful journey through Jerusalem.
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