Background
This
article was written out of love to the holiest city on earth,
Jerusalem. Jerusalem combines modern life with tales and wonders
spreading thousands of years back in time. It's historical value is
priceless and to this day it is the most sacred place to Christianity,
Islam and Judaism.
If you ever been to Jerusalem you know that there is something in the
air. In a way, it feels as if the past was never gone and everywhere
you look you see stories, old and new, combined into a magical
experience of colorful sights, sounds, smells and exotic tastes that
appeal to all your senses.
If you are a real-estate lover, this article will provide you with a
glimpse into the most desirable districts of Jerusalem. But beware, no
words can do justice to these places - you must sense it for yourself.
The German Colony
The
historical German Colony is located in southern Jerusalem and expands
from both sides of Emek Refaim street. It was established by the
Templar community that came from Germany in 1868. The neighborhood was
built similar to a German-style village with narrow streets, stone
fences, thatched rooftops of pine and cypress wood and a lot of
greenery.
In 1975 the Colony was declared as a historical site in order to
preserve its unique flavor. The area's homes have exclusive features,
such as fields of trees and green gardens. Today the main street of
Emek Refaim is one of the most popular streets in Jerusalem, with a
cosmopolitan flavor, stylish boutiques, restaurants and coffee houses
bustling with life.
The area is next to great cultural spots like the Jerusalem Theatre,
the Islamic Museum and the Natural Science Museum. It is also just a
few minutes walk to the Old City. In the German Colony are two high
schools, a grammar school, preschools of all different sects, medical
centers, community centers and various synagogues from all different
denominations due to the many immigrants in the area from France and
the United States.
Baka
Baka
is a unique neighborhood with old Arab houses, many of which have been
renovated and expanded. The neighborhood stretches out on both sides of
Derech Beit Lechem. The Chaen Theater and the old train tracks are
located in the neighborhood. The name "Baka" is taken directly from the
Arabic word meaning "valley" as an indication of the topography of the
area.
Until the 1990s, Baka was quiet and empty. In 1922 wealthy Muslim
inhabitants and Christians established beautiful private houses in the
area. During the 1970s the middle-class began to settle in Baka,
bringing aesthetic houses and paths within the heart of the
neighborhood. Many houses were renovated, but the old architectural
style was left intact.
In the last decade, new immigrants from Europe and America have bought
large houses in the area and the integral aspects of the neighborhood
include its varied population as well as the beautiful villas near the
train tracks dating from the 1960s. Today the main street is Derech
Beit Lechem, a street bustling with life with various designer stores,
produce stands, restaurants, and laundromats.
Baka is an idyllic neighborhood for young families or retirees, with
one main street and many excellent schools. In the neighborhood are
various synagogues of all different sects. Baka also has a large French
community.
In the 1920s construction of the Abu Tur neighborhood began, east of
Derech Hevron, between Ein Rogel street in the north and Naomi street
in the south. Abu Tur is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city
with streets and paths lined with trees and old Arab houses with
gardens and wealthy, modern houses.
The neighborhood is enjoyable not only because of its central location
– just a five-minute walk from Baka is the German Colony, the King
David Hotel, and other important hotels – but also because of the
winding paths of olive trees.
Talbieh
The
neighborhood of Talbieh is one of the most beautiful in the city, and
is thought of as one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Jerusalem.
The wealth of the city can be seen in the number of buildings of
important government officials like the President's House on
Jabotinsky, the National Academy of Science, and the Van Leer
Institute. In the early 1970s the Jerusalem Theater was established.
The population consists of many celebrities, and the wealthiest streets
of the neighborhood include Hovevei Tzion, Disraeli, and Dubnov.
In the neighborhood it is possible to see a rich variety of buildings
from the Mandate period, as well as authentic Arab houses that have
been expanded or have had additions made to their original structures.
In Talbieh, many houses have been declared historical preservations.
This is a quiet neighborhood with one-way streets and green gardens.
The famous Rose Garden can be found on Pinsker Street.
The neighborhood is located at the edge of the center of the city of
Jerusalem, between the neighborhood of Rechavia in the north and Old
Katamon in the south. It is also a few minutes walk to the German
Colony. The neighborhood of Talbieh also is located near the Inbal
Hotel, a short walking distance from the Old City, and near many hotels
and The Great Synagogue. Famous synagogues in the area include one on
Hovevei Tzion street, and the Chopen synagogue. Within a short walk are
many different attractions, including the German Colony with its
stylish, cosmopolitan Emek Refaim street. In the neighborhood are
various preschools and synagogues of all different sects.
Rechavia
The
neighborhood of Rechavia, one of the most interesting from an
architectural and historical perspective, is located north of the
neighborhood of Talbieh and Old Katamon, and is right next to Shaare
Hesed. A lot of its inhabitants are well-educated and received their
education from Central Europe as well as Western countries. The large
villas that were established reflect economic and social status as well
as personal style – the owners hired talented architects with creative
new designs.
Rechavia was the "classic garden neighborhood," founded on thirty acres
of land, but the area has experienced change over time. In the 1960s,
many internal roads such as Gaza street and Ramban street turned into
external roads linking the area with the city. A number of the houses
were turned into private offices or new houses were built in their
place. In spite of all this, the basic quality of the neighborhood has
remained intact. Gaza street is a very lively street with many
fashionable places to spend time, as well as banks and stores.
Rechavia in the 1990s remained, to some degree, a preservation of an
all-but-vanished world. A walk through the neighborhood's streets, with
buildings from the Mandate period lined with trees, continues to be an
aesthetic treat.
Rechavia is in a central location, close to The Great Synagogue, the
Sheraton Plaza and the downtown district. It is a few minutes walk from
Shaare Hesed and Talbieh. Rechavia owes its "rural" appearance mainly
to its overall garden neighborhood plan and abundant greenery. Rechavia
is becoming a "bourgeois" neighborhood, without a specific cultural or
class identity.
Even more than a neighborhood, Rechavia was a concept, and its story,
like that of other Jerusalem quarters, is the story of the individual
families living there.
Shaare Hesed
The
religious neighborhood of Shaare Hesed is at the edge of the
neighborhood of Rechavia. It is a quiet and wealthy neighborhood with a
warm atmostphere. Shaare Hesed is located between the streets of
Ussishkin, Diskin, and Keren Kayemet L'Yisrael. The neighborhood was
built according to a plan of many adjacent one-story houses, each with
its own long, narrow yard, but starting in 1975 there was an
acceleration of renewal and people began to renovate with stonework and
different pavements. The new houses were bigger than the original
structures and had additional floors.
Today, most of the land is for individual houses or for two separate
apartments. The area is especially popular for the orthodox community,
and the new population of the area is mostly religious Jews from
Western countries, including France. Due to the high demand of
apartments in this area, few plots are left for sale.
The neighborhood of Shaare Hesed is bordered by the neighborhood of
Nahalat Achim and Nachlaot, which are very close to one another. In the
neighborhood are many synagogues of many different religious varieties,
and it is close to The Great Synagogue, many hotels and the center of
town. On Keren Kayemet L'Yisrael is a high school, pharmacies, stores,
and restaurants.
Old Katamon
Old
Katamon, built at the time of the British Mandate and known as the
"Flower Garden of Jerusalem," is located between the neighborhood of
Talbieh to the north and the new neighborhoods to the south and
southeast. The eastern border of Katamon is adjacent to the German
Colony and the Greek Colony. The two streets that constitute the
foundation of the neighborhood are Rachel Imanu, which runs in the
east-west direction, and Kovshe Katamon, which runs in the north-south
direction. These streets are connected to the stylish, cosmopolitan
Emek Refaim street and Palmach street in the north.
In the early 1970s, a process of renewal began in the area, and many of
the inhabitants began to realize their dreams of a stone courtyard with
a fence, a quality porch, a thatched roof, and different architectural
styles not previously seen in the area.
The neighborhood of Katamon has a romantic, sentimental style, with
small, artistic houses with yards, pragmatically located within close
proximity to the center of town.
In the neighborhood are many schools, preschools, and synagogues of
many different varieties.
Arnona
Arnona,
located on the edge of old Talpiyot and Baka, is a pleasant
neighborhood. It is a unique suburb, divided into houses of many
different styles and sizes, many with private entrances and private
parking. Thatched rooftops can be found in abundance, along with
penthouses and pent cottages with individual stone gardens and terraces
that create a feeling of privacy and comfort.
The neighborhood of Arnona is relatively new – it was founded only
thirty years ago. Arnona is an ideal place for families and young
couples. The Tayelet, with its colonial design, and Kibbutz Ramat
Rachel with its swimming pool and health club can be found in the
neighborhood. The neighborhood has an amazing view of the Dead Sea from
each house, and it is known for its panoramic views.
The neighborhood also is along a main transportation route to all major
parts of the city, near center city shopping and recreation in
Talpiyot. The main street is bustling with the life of Baka.
In Arnona there is one high school, a medical center, many preschools,
parks, public gardens, and synagogues of different streams.
Recently 1300 new houses have been built in the area in eight different
projects. The new housing projects have between three to five rooms in
each apartment and have very attractive prices. The projects are
intended for a young population.
Center
The
center of the city of Jerusalem includes both King George street and
Jaffa street, both running in the north-south direction until
intersecting at a point. The area is a main commercial center as well
as a tourist attraction and an enjoyable place to spend an afternoon.
The city center includes many first-class hotels, including the King
David hotel, the Prima Kings hotel, the Sheraton, and Lev Jerusalem.
Next to the King David hotel is the Cinematheque, where many university
students and teenagers gather on the weekends.
One of the main attractions of this area is the famous Ben Yehuda
street with its many shops, restaurants, and cafes.
The center city area is within walking distance to the religious
neighborhood of Mea Shearim and the Old City.
Written by Shlomi Ben Ishai, owner and general manager of Nadlan-Plus, a top real estate Israel firm, specializing in Jerusalem real estate, offering luxury apartments in Jerusalem and a wide selection of properties across Israel. Providing unique services to the international community.
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