The exhibition “Anchors Aweigh: Seaports of the Holy Land” presents images of the historical port cities – the points of entry to the Land of Israel – from the 16th to early 20th centuries. This extraordinary collection offers a glimpse of Palestine’s ports over hundreds of years, documenting their important economic and cultural roles, and bearing witness to the many different types of pilgrims, traders, and adventurers who risked their lives to reach the Holy Land. Long before photography was invented, engraving and printing were the primary means for people to experience the lands beyond their reach. The exhibition features fifty-four prints, maps, and sketches from the collection of Yossi Gilben, along with pictures from the collections of the late Dan Kyram. On display are prime works by artists, including David Roberts, William Bartlett, Henry Finn, and more.

The Collection of Yossi Gilben: Most of the exhibition’s prints and photographs come from the private collection of Yossi Gilben, whose life was profoundly influenced by the Mediterranean Sea. As a young teen, in the 1950’s he had already sailed around the walls of Acre’s Old City as a student at the Maritime Officers School. During his military service, he served on the destroyer, the INS “Yaffo,” and fought in the Suez Canal during the Yom Kippur War. The story of Israel’s ports are inextricably linked with the story of his life.