Yad Vashem

Yad Vashem is a Holocaust memorial and history museum on the slope of Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. The complex includes an underground history museum, a library, halls with personal testimonies, and outdoor areas with monuments and sculptures.

The Israeli state founded the institution in 1953 through an act of parliament to document and commemorate the history of European Jews. The main museum opened in 2005 after extensive expansion and architectural redesign.

The site organizes ceremonies on Holocaust Remembrance Day, drawing thousands of Israelis and visitors who gather to honor those who were murdered. Educational programs engage students and soldiers who visit as part of their training and speak with survivors.

A full visit to the grounds takes several hours, and many visitors find the subject matter emotionally demanding. There are quiet areas for reflection and free audio guides in several languages for all main exhibitions.

The Children's Memorial Pavilion commemorates the one and a half million murdered Jewish children with a room full of candles whose reflections multiply endlessly in darkness. A voice reads out names, ages, and places of origin while visitors walk slowly through the installation.

Location: Jerusalem

Inception: 1953

Architects: Moshe Safdie

Official opening: August 19, 1953

Elevation above the sea: 930 m

Address: ת.ד. 3477, ירושלים 91034

Phone: +97226443400

Website: https://yadvashem.org/he.html

GPS coordinates: 31.77442,35.17725

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:30