The Mizgaga Museum, Nahsholim – Visitors Guide
Mizgaga Museum presents glass art and archeological artifacts from Tel Dor. And it is a historical building created by Baron Rothschild to create bottles for wineries.
Map
The Mizgaga Museum is situated in Kibbutz Nahsholim, about 30 km south of Haifa. And the easiest way to reach this spot is by entering “The Mizgaga Museum” into Waze or clicking this link.
Directions for drivers: Link to Waze and Link to Google Maps
Directions for public transport: Link to Moovit
Interactive map of the area:
Following the directions will lead you to a big and free parking lot. To your right, you will see a yellow gate. The guard told us to park outside, and then we walked to the museum.
Note: if the gate is closed, you can call the phones in the photo above.
From the gate, it is about a five-minute walk to the museum.
Entrance Fee
Adult – 28 NIS.
Child, student, and senior – 14 NIS.
Note: we visited The Mizgaga Museum and Tel Dor during Hanukkah 2021. And during the holidays, Israel Antiquities Authority offered free tours and entrance. Thus, if holidays are approaching, check if there are special activities.
Opening Hours
Sunday – Thursday: 09:00 – 15:00
Friday: 09:00 – 13:00
Saturday – open only for groups.
Contact Information
Phone: 04-6390950
Email: mizgaga1891@gmail.com
Restrooms
There are restrooms behind the museum building.
About Mizgaga Museum
Mizgaga – A Museum for regional archaeology and glass is housed in a two-story stone structure in the heart of Kibbutz Nahsholim and within a short walking distance from Tel-Dor.
The building was built in 1891, an initiative by Baron Rothschild to be a factory for producing glass wine bottles. Meir Dizengoff, who was later to become mayor of Tel-Aviv, was appointed manager of the factory. Because of the numerous difficulties – malaria, the local sand’s unsuitability, and a lack of profitability – the factory was closed and abandoned within a few years of its opening.
In 1980, members of Kibbutz Nahsholim began to restore the structure. At the same time, archaeological excavations began at Tel Dor and nearby bays, and the factory became a charming and unusual museum showcasing contemporary glass art alongside local archaeology.
Source: official site
At the Yard of the Museum
Near the building of the Mizgaga Museum, you can find interesting archeological artifacts.
So let’s go over some of the artifacts.
Roman Milestone
Milestones were part of the Roman road system. Romans placed a milestone every Roman mile (1480 meters) to mark distances. These were usually stone pillars with inscriptions. The inscription usually had two parts: the distance and words of glory for the rulers (most likely emperor).
A milestone was discovered on the seabed near Haifa. Milestones were placed at intervals of 1480 meters along the entire road system of the Roman Empire (one thousand double steps – mille passum). Each milestone was inscribed with words of glory For the Roman emperor or procurator.
Source: sign
Glass Production Furnaces
Two melting chambers were relocated from a glass workshop unearthed in Khirbet Asafna near Yagur. This is the oldest workshop for the production of raw glass discovered in Israel. The sand required for the process was brought from the region of Akko, and the natron (sodium carbonate) was shipped from Egypt. At the end of the process, the furnaces were dismantled, and chunks of glass were traded for the manufacture of vessels in the region and throughout the Roman Empire. The Late Roman Period.
Source: sign
Mooring Stone
Mooring stone weighing 800 kilograms was used for anchoring boats at the southern entrance of the port at Dor.
From the ninth century BCE.
Source: sign
Ancient anchors
Ancient anchors found in the bays of the Carmel Coast used to secure ships in port. The anchor was attached by a rope inserted through the opening in the stone. Anchors with three holes had wooden pegs which reinforced its grip in the seabed.
Source: sign
Inside The Mizgaga Museum
As I mentioned, we joined tours at the Mizgaga Museum and Tel Dor. Our tour of the museum started in one of the most impressive halls. In this room, you can find many archeological remains from Tel Dor.
Archeology Rooms in Mizgaga Museum
One interesting fact that amazed me is that over 70% of wine jars had remains of cinnamon. During that period, cinnamon was brought from India. That indicated how well trading routes were developed. Moreover, it also tells us something about the people living here.
Tel Dor was inhabited over different periods. Thus there are archeological remains from various periods. And if you want to see what remains on location, you can walk about one kilometer to Tel Dor.