Migdal, Israel
Local council in Israel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Migdal (Hebrew: מִגְדָּל, lit. 'Tower') is a town in the Northern District of Israel. It was founded in 1910, and granted local council status in 1949.[2] In 2024 it had a population of 2,162. Migdal is located near Ginosar, and about 8 km north of Tiberias.[3] It has a shoreline on the Sea of Galilee, including the Tamar, Ilanot and Arbel beaches.
Migdal
| |
|---|---|
Local council (from 1949) | |
| Hebrew transcription(s) | |
| • ISO 259 | Migdal |
Migdal from above | |
  Migdal Location within Northeast Israel  Migdal Location within Israel | |
| Coordinates: 32°50′20.68″N 35°29′57.46″E | |
| Country |  Israel |
| District | Northern |
| Subdistrict | Kinneret |
| Founded | 1910 |
| Government | |
| • Head of Municipality | Israel Sason Amrosi |
| Area | |
• Total | 11,395 dunams (11.395 km2; 4.400 sq mi) |
| Population (2024)[1] | |
• Total | 2,162 |
| • Density | 189.7/km2 (491.4/sq mi) |
| Name meaning | Tower |
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History
Migdal is named after a city from the Second Temple period called "Magdala". The ancient city is believed to have been located on the site of the depopulated village of al-Majdal, which preserved the name.[4]
In 1908, a small group of German Catholics who identified the site as the birthplace of Mary Magdalene settled there.[5] They left after a year and the land was bought by Russian Zionists who founded a training farm, Ahuzat Moskva (Moscow Estate) in 1910. This settlement was adjacent to the Arab village al-Majdal.[6] The pioneers were members of the Hovevei Zion (“Lovers of Zion”) movement, under the leadership of Moshe Glikin. They included several who became key figures in the history of Jewish settlement, among them Joseph Trumpeldor and J.H. Brenner.[7]
A few years later, the land was sold to private investors.[3] An encampment of Gdud HaAvoda workers who built the Tiberias-Rosh Pinna road was established there in 1921.[8]
According to a census conducted in 1922 by the British Mandate authorities, Migdal had a population of 51 inhabitants, consisting of 42 Jews and 9 Muslims.[9]
Demographics
In 2022, 96.9% of the population was Jewish and 3.1% was counted as other.[10]
Landmarks
In 1998, a local history museum was founded in one of the farm’s first buildings.[7]
Notable residents
- Maxim Vengerov (born 1974), Russian-born Israeli violinist, violist, and conductor
Bilu pioneers in Migdal, 1912
Migdal 1923: Albert Einstein planting tree
Migdal 1945
