Gan HaGat

Hidden between Tel Aviv’s modern buildings lies Gan HaGat, a “Wine Press Garden” whispering stories of the past. This unassuming park, tucked away on a side street, is more than just a children’s playground. Ascend the small staircase within Gan HaGat, and you’ll encounter a 2,000-year-old Hellenistic wine press. Imagine the activity here centuries ago. Grapes were crushed on the flat surface, their juice flowing into a deep silo. Nearby, a shallow silo collected the remnants. Scattered throughout Gan HaGat are stone pillars and millstones. These relics of the same era now serve as benches. Gan HaGat’s history is layered. In the 1940s, it was a British army base. After Israeli independence in 1948, the IDF inherited the site. Construction plans were disrupted by an accidental discovery. Tractors unearthed archaeological remnants. Dr. Yaakov Kaplan then excavated the wine press, dating it back to the time of King Alexander Jannaeus. Tel Aviv transformed the area into a public garden. They planted the Seven Species, including olive, palm, and pomegranate trees, enriching the Israeli atmosphere. Gan HaGat officially opened to the public in 1971. Explore Gan HaGat’s hidden passage to the left of the wine press. Descend into a grotto-like space. Touch the walls of thinly cut kurkar rock. Perhaps even drink from the hidden fountain. This secluded spot is a favorite for lovers.