Kedumim Square and Fountain of Zodiac Signs, Tel Aviv

Kedumim Square forms the central open space in the historic heart of Jaffa. The square sits above important excavations that reveal remains from Hellenistic, Roman, and later periods. Today, it also serves as a lively gathering place, with stone seating arranged in a semi-amphitheatre form, and events such as the Jaffa Nights festival bringing added energy during the summer months.

One of the key attractions here is the Old Jaffa Visitors Center, known as “Jaffa Tales,” which presents the city’s 4,000-year history through immersive displays and multimedia installations. The entrance is located on the southern side of the square, marked by a small staircase leading beneath the pavement. Once you descend, you can walk through the excavated remains of a Jewish villa from the Roman period. Look for the glass-floored walkways that allow you to see the original stone masonry and ritual baths without disturbing the site. Visitors can follow a timeline of Jaffa’s development and explore archaeological features integrated into the site, including elements that extend toward the port.

At the centre of the square stands the Fountain of Zodiac Signs, created in 2011 by sculptors Varda Ghivoly and Ilan Gelber, with character design by Navot Gil. Carved from chalkstone, the fountain presents the twelve zodiac symbols through a combination of sculpture, water, and light. It is a local tradition for visitors to find their own zodiac sign on the fountain's edge, place a hand on it, and make a wish while looking toward the sea. Beneath it lie archaeological remains linked to a local legend of a wishing well, where tossing a coin is said to bring immediate good fortune.

The square also serves as the entrance to Jaffa's labyrinthine artists' colony. Look at the corners of the plaza for small ceramic plaques mounted on the stone walls, each bearing the name and symbol of a zodiac sign. These mark the entrances to the pedestrian alleys; for instance, following the Pisces alley leads directly from the square down toward the Old Jaffa Port. Nearby cafés, galleries, and shaded corners make the square both a place to explore and to pause.