Safdie cuts a scar of concrete through the hill — an architecture that refuses comfort, because comfort would be dishonest.
Israel's official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
Featured in Moshe Safdie's definitive monograph, Moshe Safdie: Architecture of Memory.
Visitor Guide
Give yourself silence. Put your phone away for the main museum sequence; the architecture is designed to control your tempo and attention.
From the exterior approach where the triangular concrete volume emerges; late afternoon for deep shadow and a hard, truthful read of the cut.
You can go inside. Opening hours vary by day; admission is generally free (some parking/guide services may cost). Arrive earlier in the day to avoid queues and ensure full museum access before last entry.
The building is a sectional narrative: a single linear cut that periodically releases light — that rhythm is the entire emotional mechanism.
2–4 hours
Design & Structure
Narrative-driven architecture: circulation modeled as a continuous path with controlled daylight punctures; concrete geometry coordinated to maintain a single legible ‘cut’ while integrating galleries, services, and topography.
Exposed concrete and restrained glazing: material austerity as ethical stance, not aesthetic fashion.
A long-span concrete volume integrated into a hillside: engineering merges with landscape retaining logic and controlled daylight apertures.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Yad Vashem — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
More by Moshe Safdie
View all →
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
National Gallery of Canada
Hebrew College
Habitat 67
United States Institute of Peace
Eleanor Roosevelt College
Nearby in Jerusalem
David Citadel Hotel
National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel
Chords Bridge
Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Hadassah Medical Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Yad Vashem?+
Yad Vashem was designed by Moshe Safdie and completed in 1953. It is located in Jerusalem, Israel.
Where is Yad Vashem located?+
Yad Vashem is located in Jerusalem, Israel. Its coordinates are 31.7744°, 35.1772°.
When was Yad Vashem built?+
Yad Vashem was completed in 1953. It was designed by Moshe Safdie.
Can I visit Yad Vashem?+
Yad Vashem is a real building in Jerusalem that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.