Language:
שפה נוכחית
We invite you to join a guided tour in English for the general public.
During the tour, we’ll get to know the architectural wonder that is the new National Library building, we will explore the impressive new reading halls and survey a selection of the five million items stored in the Library: rare books, antique manuscripts, photo albums, unique maps, historical posters, personal archives, and more. We will follow in the footsteps of words that shaped our lives, visit the rotating exhibition, and discover striking works of art that are spread throughout the building and the beautiful surrounding gardens, among them the “Letters of Light” created by sculptor Micha Ullman.
Tour duration: about an hour and a half.
Please note that individual tours are also available featuring audio-guide headsets. You can purchase tickets for an individual tour here.
Please also note that entry to the National Library itself is free of charge.
Looking to bring your own group? See below for more information on the special group tours we have available.
Register for a guided tour
Photo: Ofrit Assaf-Arye
A Tour of a Selection of the Library’s Treasures
After years in the storerooms, the great treasures of the Jewish People are now being brought into the light! On the tour of the permanent exhibition, "A Treasury of Words", we’ll take a close look at the most ancient, rare, and precious manuscripts in the National Library, learn of the power of text in human culture and the power of words to bring about change among people across the world. We will take in the Library’s structure and the architectural philosophy behind it, have a look at the rotating exhibitions, and view the works of art displayed throughout the building.
A Tour of Journeys
Get yourself a knapsack and a book, and join us on a journey through pages of text and history! Come hear the story of the National Library of Israel’s 130-year journey, marvel at rare books that have moved between continents, discover writings which made the rounds among Jewish communities, and trace the paths these ancient texts travelled before reaching us. This is a fascinating journey following in the wake of individuals, communities, and nations – and the written treasures they carried with them. Want to come along?
Green Building and Sustainability Tour
It may look white – but our building is green! On this unique tour, we’ll show how the National Library of Israel’s new residence received a platinum ranking (the highest possible ranking) for green building from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program. We’ll examine the building from all angles. Deep underground, we’ll observe the building’s “ecological air conditioner” and talk about sustainable development. In the reading halls, we’ll take in the sunlight and examine ways to deal with solar radiation. In the Library gardens, we’ll enjoy local flora and discuss saving water and energy. This is sustainability like you’ve never seen it before!
An Art and Architecture Tour
Come discover the architectural ideas behind the most beautiful structure in Jerusalem. The architects Herzog and de Meuron and Mann Shinar strove to construct a building representing the essence and values of the Library. Between grandeur and modesty, innovation and preservation of the past, stability and movement – the Library building maintains a dialogue between contrasts, inviting us all to listen. During the tour we will discover the ideas behind the structure, marvel at its design elements, and observe the artworks that have been placed within its walls.
Special Tour for Students and Scholars
Students? Researchers? Librarians? Come broaden your horizons at the leading research library in Israel!
During this professional, experiential tour, you will observe dozens of unique and rare items, while visiting the reading halls and discovering the Library collections that are relevant to your own field of knowledge. The visit can be combined with meetings with librarians, researchers, and content experts, who will share explanations about our unique work processes. For students, we recommend combining the tour with a bibliographic guidance session dedicated to the Library’s digital resources. We’ll be happy to equip you with a variety of means to locate quality, original materials which will help you in the academic world.
A unique tour that traces the heritage of the Jews of Spain from the Rambam and the Zohar to Ladino poetry, told via the National Library collections. How did this community succeed in preserving its culture for hundreds of years in a changing world? How did encounters with Christianity and Islam affect the Jews of Spain? We will traverse eras and encounter historical personages by learning about the creativity and achievements of this vibrant Jewish world.
* The tour includes a short introduction to the building's architecture, an audio-visual presentation, and visit to the Library's exhibition spaces
The Sephardic Heritage Tour is made possible thanks to the generous donation of the Samis Foundation, located in Seattle, Washington, USA, and dedicated to the memory of Samuel Israel.