Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim, the first kibbutz established in the mountainous region of the country in 1920, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. With such a history, the kibbutz paths are full of heritage, stories and… milk.
In 1925, the founding members of Kiryat Anavim in Jerusalem, for the first time in Israel, established a franchise of kiosks for the sale of milk for drinking and agricultural produce called “Tnuvatenu.” A year later, the dairies merged under one national roof and “Tnuvatnu” became “Tnuva”, which today is the country’s largest food and dairy manufacturer.
Visit Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim
Thanks to its geographical location, hidden between the mountains and on the way to Jerusalem, the kibbutz housed the fighting forces of the Haganah, the Palmach, and later, the IDF, and also tourists. In 1940, long before the establishment of the state, a proposal was first made in the kibbutz to establish a “relaxation house.” Several houses on the kibbutz were renovated and during the next two summer months, about 300 guests were hosted in Kiryat Anavim!
Today, the 5-star Cramim Resort and Spa in Kiryat Anavim hosts about 300 guests a day. On the kibbutz itself you will find a number of other attractions for tourists. What used to be a cotton collection warehouse turned into a French patisserie called Efrat Bakery. In the old chicken coop there’s the Ass located the “HaAssam” Furniture Design House. You can also sit and dine in the historic dairy farm, the one that started “Tnuvatenu”, and enjoy a meal at the Muma Restaurant. Maybe it should have been called “Moo”-Ma…
On the Kibbutz’s 100th anniversary, the Maftema Museum opened to the general public featuring the local history of Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim’s pioneering innovation.
Photo: Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim
