Safed

Town and resort in the Galilean highlands, northern Israel, 20 km/12 mi northwest of Tiberias; population (1993 est) 20,900. Safed is at an altitude of 730 m/2,394 ft on the slopes of Mount Hermon. Safed is a Jewish holy place and was the site of bitter conflict during the war in Israel in 1948. More recently, the town has become a centre for Israeli artists.

After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, Safed developed as a centre for rabbinical study, being particularly associated with mystical aspects of Judaism. The first printing press in the region was set up here in 1563. There are ruins of a Templar castle, and nearby are the tombs of Hillel and other Jewish teachers.