Neighborhoods

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. Map		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. Map
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 Imeinu (running in the east-west direction) and Kovshei 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. Map		Rechavia Interesting for its unique architecture and history, Rechavia is located next to Sha'arei Chessed, 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 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. Map
Sha'arei Chessed Religious Sha'arei Chessed 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, Sha'arei Chessed adjoins the neighborhoods of Rechavia, Nachalat 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. Sha'arei Chessed is one of the more upscale religious neighborhoods in Jerusalem today. It has a unique combination of the old "Yerushalmi" alongside young "Anglo" oleh families. Properties in Sha'arei Chessed are in high demand. Although only minutes walking distance from the center of the city, Sha'arei Chessed still retains it quaint "Old World" charm. Map		Talbieh Talbieh is considered one of the most beautiful as well as one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Jerusalem (the wealthiest streets are Chovevei 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. 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 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 Chovevei Tzion street and the Chopin synagogue). Map