Among the many attractions which can be visited is Beit Herzl, almost a century old, which stands alone in the middle of what is still known as the Herzl Forest, planted following the death of Theodor Herzl, the father of political Zionism, in 1904. The World Zionist Organization, which he founded, decided to plant a forest in his memory in Palestine. In those days, the Jewish National Fund existed, but it was engaged solely in redeeming the land, buying land for Jewish settlement. In order to provide a livelihood for the settlers, it was decided to plant olive trees, although it soon became apparent that they were not suited for the area. The trees failed to flourish and about three-quarters of 12,000 saplings planted died.
Today there are only a few olive trees left.
The house, which was indeed known as Beit Herzl, was built in 1909. The entire roomy upper floor was occupied by the agronomist who managed the site, Louis Brisch, a bachelor. The workers all had to share the basement. Relations between the two were not good. An impressive stone-block water cistern was built, but the area has no natural water sources so the water had to be brought in on wagons.