Page 30 - Holyland Magazine - 2015 edition
P. 30
A view of the completely
refurbished Templar colony.
Photo: Sarona Management
The Unique Ambience of
Sarona
From German Templar Colony to Urban
Open-Air Historical & Commercial Site
O ver 140 years ago, long before the In December 1947, the British handed over the
agriculture and small industry. At the end of Irgun, and Lehi — and eventually a symbol of
World War I, with the occupation of Palestine the armed struggle against the British rule.
modern state of Israel came into
being, Sarona was established.The
by the British Army, the Templars were exiled
Templar settlers, who had just arrived to Egypt – until their return in 1921.
Sarona camp to the Jewish leadership. The
from Germany illed with pioneer zeal,
transformed the little hill that overlooked the Under the British Mandate, the settlement
(Camp Yehoshua).
sea into a bustling agricultural settlement that lourished. Agricultural areas expanded and new camp was called ‘Mahaneh Yehoshua’
quickly drew the city’s new residents for both new houses were built in an international
commerce and leisure. style, which added a modern touch to the In May 1948, the government ministries were
rural landscape. temporarily housed in some of the Templar
Fate and history have colluded to change homes as Jerusalem was under siege. The
Sarona’s face quite a few times since those As the Nazi party rose to power in Germany, name ‘Sarona’ was changed by David Ben-
Gurion to the ‘Kiryah’ (the Compound).
early days, and today it is returning with a some of the Templers began engaging in
sense of dignity to reclaim its rightful place as political activities involved with the Nazis and a In December 1949, the government decided
the epicenter of the city. few became members of the Nazi party. With to relocate its oices to Jerusalem, the
nation’s capital.
the outbreak of World War II, in September
The renewed space draws on the original
1939, the British declared the German
In 2006, a plan to preserve 33 historical
Templar spirit and infuses it with the modern Templars ‘enemy nationals’; the colony
style and energy of contemporary Tel Aviv; a became a detention camp and its residents buildings, returning them to their former
place irst and foremost for locals to enjoy the were exiled to Germany and Australia. façades from the time of the Templar
best of the city in a serene setting. settlement, was approved. The rest of the
buildings were demolished. To allow city
At the beginning of World War II, British security planners to expand Kaplan Street, ive Templar
History forces began occupying the colony. After the buildings were relocated in a complex feat of
In 1871, on the western banks of the Ayalon war, the fortiied camp became a military base engineering.
River, the Templars established the colony of for the British forces and naturally became a
Sarona. They were pious Christians who came favored target for attacks by the various Jewish Nowadays, the Sarona compound is used as
from southern Germany, primarily engaging in underground organizations — the Haganah, a center for culture, leisure and shopping, and
30
refurbished Templar colony.
Photo: Sarona Management
The Unique Ambience of
Sarona
From German Templar Colony to Urban
Open-Air Historical & Commercial Site
O ver 140 years ago, long before the In December 1947, the British handed over the
agriculture and small industry. At the end of Irgun, and Lehi — and eventually a symbol of
World War I, with the occupation of Palestine the armed struggle against the British rule.
modern state of Israel came into
being, Sarona was established.The
by the British Army, the Templars were exiled
Templar settlers, who had just arrived to Egypt – until their return in 1921.
Sarona camp to the Jewish leadership. The
from Germany illed with pioneer zeal,
transformed the little hill that overlooked the Under the British Mandate, the settlement
(Camp Yehoshua).
sea into a bustling agricultural settlement that lourished. Agricultural areas expanded and new camp was called ‘Mahaneh Yehoshua’
quickly drew the city’s new residents for both new houses were built in an international
commerce and leisure. style, which added a modern touch to the In May 1948, the government ministries were
rural landscape. temporarily housed in some of the Templar
Fate and history have colluded to change homes as Jerusalem was under siege. The
Sarona’s face quite a few times since those As the Nazi party rose to power in Germany, name ‘Sarona’ was changed by David Ben-
Gurion to the ‘Kiryah’ (the Compound).
early days, and today it is returning with a some of the Templers began engaging in
sense of dignity to reclaim its rightful place as political activities involved with the Nazis and a In December 1949, the government decided
the epicenter of the city. few became members of the Nazi party. With to relocate its oices to Jerusalem, the
nation’s capital.
the outbreak of World War II, in September
The renewed space draws on the original
1939, the British declared the German
In 2006, a plan to preserve 33 historical
Templar spirit and infuses it with the modern Templars ‘enemy nationals’; the colony
style and energy of contemporary Tel Aviv; a became a detention camp and its residents buildings, returning them to their former
place irst and foremost for locals to enjoy the were exiled to Germany and Australia. façades from the time of the Templar
best of the city in a serene setting. settlement, was approved. The rest of the
buildings were demolished. To allow city
At the beginning of World War II, British security planners to expand Kaplan Street, ive Templar
History forces began occupying the colony. After the buildings were relocated in a complex feat of
In 1871, on the western banks of the Ayalon war, the fortiied camp became a military base engineering.
River, the Templars established the colony of for the British forces and naturally became a
Sarona. They were pious Christians who came favored target for attacks by the various Jewish Nowadays, the Sarona compound is used as
from southern Germany, primarily engaging in underground organizations — the Haganah, a center for culture, leisure and shopping, and
30
