One of Israel's most engaging museums, the Hecht's standout highlight is the extraordinary Ma'agan Mikhael Shipwreck , the remarkably well-preserved remains of a 13.5m-long merchant ship from 400 BCE – that's four centuries older than the Ancient Galilee Ship on display at the Sea of Galilee! The archaeology section also features a whole room on the Phoenicians; Israelite, Moabite and Phoenician seals from the First Temple period; and an important collection of ancient coins, including some issued by revolt leader Bar Kochba.
The art section has works by such luminaries as Corot, Soutine, Manet, Monet, Modigliani (one fascinating canvas has two portraits, one on each side), Pissarro and Van Gogh; a collection of works by Jewish artists, most from Germany and Eastern Europe; and the Oscar Ghez Collection , which showcases the works of 18 Paris-based artists who perished in the Holocaust.
Don't confuse the Hecht Museum, under the Eshkol Tower, with the nearby Dr Hecht Art Centre.
