Ein Gedi Botanical Gardens, Botanical garden in Ein Gedi, Israel.
Ein Gedi Botanical Gardens is a collection set in the Judean Desert that displays plants from arid regions worldwide, including baobab trees, African palms, and numerous species adapted to this extreme environment. The collection spans over 1000 tree varieties and hundreds of cactus types that thrive in this sparse landscape.
The gardens were founded in 1956 by Kibbutz Ein Gedi members who wanted to create green space in the desert. The project started by planting thousands of trees and cacti to demonstrate that agriculture was possible in this harsh region.
The garden displays plants mentioned in biblical texts such as olives, pomegranates, and figs alongside modern growing methods. This blend reflects the long-standing connection between tradition and contemporary agriculture in this region.
The gardens are best explored on foot, as the planted areas spread across different levels of the terrain. Visitors should bring plenty of water and seek shade, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
A distinctive feature of this garden is that it functions as part of an active kibbutz community where people actually live and work. The blend of residential area and botanical collection makes it a living oasis in the desert, not merely a tourist attraction.
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