Routes and Rates
The Atlit immigration camp was used in the past as a British detention camp for the imprisonment of tens of thousands of illegal Jewish immigrants. Today, the camp serves as a national heritage site that recreates the conditions of life of the prisoners in the camp at that time and even offers an experiential experience in immigration for the whole family through an audio-visual performance inside an immigration ship.
The camp, which began its beginnings in 1939 as a prison camp established by the British during the British Mandate in the Land of Israel, soon became a detention and prison camp with the increase of illegal immigration that came from Europe during and after the years of World War II.
During the years 1940 – 1948, tens of thousands of illegal immigrants who were captured by the British in their attempt to reach the shores of the Land of the Insurers passed through the camp walls and were forced to stay in the camp until they were eventually released from it, usually at the expense of the annual quota of certificates (entry permits) distributed by the British to Jews who wanted to enter the Land of Israel.
A large part of those immigrants who found themselves imprisoned in this immigration camp after their arrival from Europe (and later, after the camp was filled, also in detention camps in neighboring Cyprus) were actually Holocaust survivors who left the ghettos and concentration camps in Europe and it is only possible to imagine in our souls the great anguish of their souls to find themselves re-imprisoned, this time on the land of the land of refuge that they tried to reach.
With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the camp ceased to be used as a British detention camp and was later even declared a national site in 1985 to commemorate illegal immigration and immigration to the Land of Israel at that time, and today serves as a historical-educational center.
The camp, which is closed and fenced with barbed wire fences as it was in its active days, covers a relatively large area and illustrates to visitors the authentic living conditions that were in the camp during its years of activity. During our visit to the impressive camp we will see guard towers with figures of uniformed guards, British military armor, several restored wooden barracks that were used to house the prisoners, as well as sorting and disinfection barracks (marked blue on the map) that were used to disinfect the prisoners from diseases.
Various exhibitions around the site show items including testimonies and photographs that allow us a unique glimpse into that period and we will even watch a short video about a dramatic event that took place there when a Palmach squad broke into the camp in 1945 and managed to free hundreds of the camp’s prisoners from the British.
The highlight of the camp is the large immigration ship (marked purple on the map) that we will enter (entry is only as part of a guided tour). The ship illustrates to visitors through an audio-visual presentation the experience of naval immigration and allows the whole family and children experience in simulating naval immigration. The ship itself serves as a visitor center that tells about the history of immigration to the Land of Israel by sea and the difficulties of immigrants.
Guided tours are held on the site by prior arrangement for individuals and groups.
Opening hours:
This is a heritage site that is paid for entry and only after prior arrangement
By phone: 04-9841980
Days-
Sunday – Thursday 9:00-17:00
Fridays and holiday eves – 9:00-13:00
Saturdays and holidays – site is closed.
The price of admission varies according to the size of the group on the guided tour and the type of activity, although it ranges around NIS 25-32.
You must find out in advance on the above phone.
Difficulty level – easy. The site is almost fully accessible, at the entrance to the barracks there are ramps and the ship is fully accessible (including an elevator).
Estimated walking duration – about two hours (on a guided tour of the camp, including video and audiovisual performance)
Directions:
From the Carmel tunnels we will go west to the Haifa South interchange and continue on the coastal road to the Atlit interchange. At the interchange we turn towards Atlit, and at the next intersection we turn right to the parking lot of the immigration camp (marked on the map with the letter P).
Those arriving at this route from the south must travel on the coastal road to the Atlit interchange and continue as described above.