Tzfat

Tzfat or Safed is a small town in the upper Galilee. It is at the highest elevation of any city in Israel. Over time it developed a wool and textile industry and became a center for the Kabalah or mystical Judaism. And it became one of the 4 holy cities of Judaism with Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias. Many of the buildings today are from the 19th century or reconstruction of older buildings due to done severe earthquakes up into the 19th century.
The 1st 3 pictures are streets in the town. You will note a lot of blue paint. I'm told this is traditional here. The blue represents sky which is intended to confuse the devil if he shows up. So he leaves the town alone. The 3rd picture is in the artist colony. This is a significant group of artists and galleries with a great deal of impressive art.
The 4th picture is in one of the many synagogues here. 5th is an outside gathering space.
The last picture looks out from the hilltop. As this is the highest city in the country, you can see a long way.Read more