German Colony, Jerusalem
German Colony
German Templer Society | |
---|---|
Population (2017)[1] | |
• Total | 1,930 |
The German Colony (
History
Biblical era
Templer settlement
In 1873, after establishing colonies in
The British Mandatory government deported the German Templers during World War II. As some of them sympathized with the German Nazi regime, they were considered enemy citizens. Some of them resettled in Australia.[5]
Christian Arab settlement
As the neighborhood expanded south along the valley, many of the lots were purchased by well-to-do
, which were populated by some of Jerusalem's wealthiest Arabs.One of the most famous Christian families in Hebron (Khalil) is Abu Gharbieh, which helped to improve the foundations of the city.[citation needed]
State of Israel
The Arab residents of Katamon fled[citation needed] in 1948, in the wake of fierce battles for control of the area during the Arab–Israeli War. The abandoned homes in the German Colony and other parts of Katamon were used to house new immigrants.[citation needed] Since the end of the 20th century, the neighborhood has undergone a process of gentrification. Efforts are being made to restore old landmark buildings and incorporate some of their architectural features, such as arched windows and tiled roofs, in new construction. Numerous cafes, bars, restaurants, and boutiques have opened in the neighborhood, and many affluent families have moved there, pushing up the price of real estate. The German Colony has a large English-speaking population,[6] with the English speaking community comprising both families and singles, permanent immigrants and visitors. The neighborhood was home to the Smadar Theater, once a gathering place for the artisterati.[6]
During the
Architecture and street names
The colorful history of the German Colony is illustrated by the mix of architectural styles found within a relatively small area. One finds Swabian-style homes, examples of late provincial Ottoman architecture and British
The side streets of the German Colony are named for Gentile supporters of Zionism and the Jewish people. Apart from the French author
Parks and recreation
The Park HaMesila (Train Track Park) runs along the German Colony's southern border with Baka.[10] This former train track was converted into a park approximately 7 km in length and the portion that borders the German Colony has been extensively landscaped. There is a 'Bus Stop Library' located at the junction of the park and Masaryk Street where residents can donate unwanted books or find reading material.[11]
Landmarks
- Gemeindehaus, communal hall – 1 Emek Refaim Street
- Friedrich Aberle House – 10 Emek Refaim Street
- Matthäus Frank House – 6 Emek Refaim Street
- Pension Schmidt
- Lev Smadar Theater – formerly Orient Cinema, Lloyd George Street
- Convent of Borromean Sisters – 12 Lloyd George Street
- Templer Cemetery – 39 Emek Refaim Street
- Imberger House
- Shalom Hartman Institute – 11 Gedalyahu Alon Street
- Kivunim Gap Year Headquarters, Yemin Moshe Street
Development plans
For years, developers tried to build up the area at the northern entrance to the neighborhood, overlooking Liberty Bell Park. Mass protests in the early 1970s failed to halt the construction of a high-rise apartment building, known as the Omariya compound. In the wake of protests by environmentalists and neighborhood activists, the plans were altered, and the height of a planned 14-story hotel was cut to seven stories.[12]
Notable residents
- Batya Gur, Israeli novelist
- Charles Winters, American businessman
References
- ^ https://jerusaleminstitute.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/shnaton_C1419.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Hamoshava Hagermanit Beyerushalayim," Itzik Sweiki, SPNI bulletin, p. 23, teva.org.il
- ^ Studies in the Economic and Social History of Palestine in the Nineteenth, by Roger Owen, 1982, Southern Illinois University Press, Page 44
- ^ "Jerusalem: Architecture in the late Ottoman Period". Jewishvirtuallibrary.org. 1902-01-27. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
- ^ a b From Slaughterhouse to Prime Minister's House, Haaretz
- ^ a b Discover Jerusalem - German Colony Archived 2009-11-15 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [1] Archived June 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "webstylus.net". webstylus.net. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
- ^ Wehner, Peter. "« Churchill and the Jews by Martin Gilbert Churchill's Promised Land by Michael Makovsky Commentary Magazine". Commentarymagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
- ^ "German Colony Neighbourhood Profile". Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- ^ "Park HaMesila Profile". 10 October 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- ^ "Opposition to 14-story hotel". Ynetnews.com.