Neighborhoods

Old Katamon

Old Katamon is dubbed "The flower Garden of Jerusalem." Dating back to the British Mandate, Old Katamon is situated between Talbieh neighborhood to the north and the German and Greek Colonies to the East.

The two central streets in the neighborhood, Rachel Imenu (running in the east-west direction) and Kovshe Katamon (running in the north-south direction) connect with stylish and quaint Emek Refaim Street.

In the early 1970s, a general process of renewal began in this area, and many of the inhabitants realized their dreams of having stone courtyards, fences, quality porches, tiled roofs and where major renovations were carried out, architectural styles not previously seen in the area. The neighborhood of Katamon has a romantic, sentimental style, with small, artistic houses with yards and all located within close proximity to the center of town. In addition, there are many schools, pre-schools, and synagogues in the neighborhood.

Old Katamon map | Brochure

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Baka

Baka comprises mainly of unique traditional Arab houses, many of which have been recently renovated and expanded. The name "Baka"- "Valley', in Arabic- serves as an indication of the topography of the area. It was established in the 1920s by wealthy Muslim and Christians families.

Middle-class Israelis soon realized Baka's potential. During the 1970's they began settling in the neighborhood, renovating those splendid homes, surrounded by gardens and trees. The already exclusive neighborhood has become all the more attractive in the past decade, as American and European (especially French) new immigrants bought into it, and further invested in it.

Beit Lechem Street, along which Baka stretches, is lined with lovely shops, designer stores, coffee shops and restaurants. Baka is also the home of excellent schools, public transport, synagogues of different denominations, the Chan Theater and the original Jerusalem Railway station. The German Colony and the nearby King David Hotel are a five-minute walk away.

Baka map | Brochure

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Talbieh

Talbieh is considered one of the most beautiful as well as one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Jerusalem (the wealthiest streets are Hovevei Tzion, Disraeli, and Dubnov). It houses the President's House, the National Academy of Science, the Van Leer Institute, the Jerusalem Theater, the well known Rose Garden as well as many celebrities.

Many houses in Talbieh have been declared historical buildings. The serene neighborhood, abound with gardens, is comprised of a variety of Mandate-period-buildings as well as of authentic Arab houses that have been expanded.

The neighborhood is located between the neighborhoods of Rechavia (north) and Old Katamon (south), near the Inbal, King David & David Citadel Hotels, and a short walking distance from the Old City and from the stylish and quaint German Colony. It is also the home of various preschools and synagogues of different denominations (the famous ones include one on Hovevei Tzion street and the Chopin synagogue).

Talbieh map | Brochure

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Rechavia

Interesting for its unique architecture and history, Rechavia is located next to Shaare Hesed, north of Talbieh and Old Katamon. The architecturally impressive large villas reflect the economic and social status of its well-educated Western owners.

Founded on thirty acres of land, Rechavia was a classic garden neighborhood. Despite the changes it has known along the years, the neighborhood kept its unique character. Its tree lined streets and mandate-period-buildings make the neighborhood an aesthetic joy. Its lively central Gaza street abounds with fashionable coffee shops as well as banks and stores.

Rechavia is located centrally, close to The Great Synagogue, the Sheraton Plaza and the downtown district. One might think of Rechavia as "bourgeois", albeit non-culturally specific.

Rechavia map | Brochure

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German Colony

Established by the German Templars in 1868, the German Colony was built with narrow streets, stone fences, pine and cypress wood thatched rooftops and a bounty of greenery. Emek Refaim street, which expands on both side of the neighborhood, is one of the most popular streets in Jerusalem, with a cosmopolitan flavor, stylish boutiques, restaurants and lively coffee shops.

The German Colony is located in southern Jerusalem, a short walk away from great cultural spots like the Jerusalem Theatre, the Islamic Museum and the Natural Science Museum. It is also a few minutes walk away from the Old City. In the German Colony you can find two high schools, a grammar school, preschools, medical centers, community centers and various synagogues of different denominations serving the many immigrants from France and the United States living in the area.

German Colony map | Brochure

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Shaare Hesed

Religious Shaare Hesed is a wealthy neighborhood, characterized by a warm, quiet and familial atmosphere. It comprises largely of privately owned adjacent or individual one-story houses with long and narrow yards. Popular mostly with the orthodox community, the new population includes mostly of religious Jews from Western countries. Owing to the neighborhood's popularity, only a few plots for sale are left.

Located between Ussishkin, Diskin, and Keren Kayemet L'Yisrael streets, Shaare Hesed adjoins the neighborhoods of Rechavia, Nahalat Achim and Nachlaot. In it, you can find many synagogues of different denominations. On Keren Kayemet L'Yisrael street you will find a high school, pharmacies, stores and restaurants. The neighborhood is also close to the Great Synagogue and to the center of town.

Shaare Hesed map | Brochure

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Yemin Moshe

Named after Sir Moses Montefiore, Yemin Moshe is located next to the neighborhood of Mishkenot Shaananim and faces the western side of the Old City. It was established outside the Old City walls in 1893, It is easily identifiable by the large windmill at the top of the hill overlooking the Hinnom Valley on King David Street. After the Six Day War it was renovated and today there are about 130 houses in this picturesque neighborhood. The neighborhood is the home to wealthy writers, academics and artists whose works are sold in the area's galleries. The neighborhood also houses a music center, a guest house and a small museum dedicated to the life and works of Montefiore located within the windmill, which was erected in 1857.

Yemin Moshe map | Brochure

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Mamila

Mamilla - in Arabic, "that which came from god" - is situated in the valley that links the Old City’s Jaffa Gate to the new city. It is the neighborhood closest to the old city. It was established at the end of the 19th century to house Jewish and Arab merchants and tradesmen, and flourished as part of the city’s commercial center. During the years 1948-1967 Mamilla was in the no man’s land between Israel and Jordan. Many of the neighborhood’s buildings were destroyed, its overall status deteriorated and it housed new immigrants and the poor. When Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967 (the Six Day War) the line was erased and Mamilla was ripe for an urban renewal project. It was decided to demolish Mamilla and rebuild it. After 20 years of public disagreements, the following project is nowadays being executed, to include a luxurious hotel, commercial and office areas and exclusive residential areas. It is one of modern Jerusalem’s largest, longest, and most expensive development initiatives.

Mamila map | Brochure

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Mahane Israel (formally known as "Hamugrabim"/ "The Westerners")

Built by the Mugrabis (the Westerners) and for them to inhabit, Mahane Israel and Mishkanot Sha'ananim are the first Jewish neighborhoods to be built outside the Old City walls. Mahane Israel is the first to be built by the Old City's residents for themselves. During the last years, various works of preservation were held and are still being held today. The neighborhood houses many synagogues of different denominations. It is located five minutes away from Jaffa Gate (the only gate on the western side of the Old City) and 15 minutes away from the Wailing Wall ("Ha'kotel").

Mahane Israel map | Brochure

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The Jewish Quarter ("Harova Hayehudi")

The Jewish Quarter is situated in the Southeast part of the Old City. It borders with the Temple Mount ("Har Habayit") and incorporates the Wailing Wall ("Ha'kotel") and the City of David ("Ir David"). When you exit the neighborhood through Zion Gate, you will reach Mount Zion ("Har Tziyon") and the Tomb of King David ("Kever David").

The buildings of the current Jewish Quarter, which look almost brand new and sparkling clean, cover sites and relics dating to roughly 1400. A few stairs may bring you to discoveries from the Second or even First Temple period. The oldest synagogues, the Eliyahu the Prophet and Yohanan Ben Zakkai, are roughly 400 years old.

In 1967, when Jerusalem was reunited after the Six Day War, the Quarter was restored. Some houses were restored and new buildings were erected to replace the ruins. Today, the Jewish Quarter is an upper-middle-class neighborhood, with an almost exclusively Orthodox Jewish population largely from America.

The Jewish Quarter map | Brochure

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