January 1, 1837
The Jewish community and Arab population in Safed (Tzfat) are devastated by a massive earthquake, which produces a landslide. Thousands die in the mountain town, the longtime home to a thriving Jewish population. Almost the entire Jewish Quarter of the city is destroyed, including most of the synagogues. What is said to have been a 6.8-level earthquake is more than enough to crumble the simple masonry structures lining the hillsides of Safed.
Nearly all of Safed’s Jewish population flees, leaving a dedicated few to rebuild the Jewish sites and population.
Located in the Upper Galilee, Safed is considered one of Judaism’s four holy cities, along with Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias. The home of the ancient tribe of Naphtali, Safed rose as the center of Kabbalah, or mystical Judaism, during the Middle Ages and became a settlement for Sephardi Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition.
Today, Safed is home to about 30,000 people and is one of the centers of Israel’s arts community. The Old City is home to numerous art galleries, restored synagogues, shops and restaurants.
