Ever hope to travel back in time and relive a
historical period? Ever wanted to know what lurked beneath Jerusalem’s
newest luxury building projects? Ever wonder how the other half lives? Ever dream of living like a
Sheikh for a day? Or wonder why Jerusalem’s beautiful
neighborhoods all look so different? Well, if you answered yes to any
of these questions, then you’re in luck because this weekend,
nearly 100 of Jerusalem’s most amazing and impressive sites and styles are open for
investigation as the Jerusalem Municipality’s Houses from Within festival kicks off this Friday and Saturday, September 11 and 12.
This
free – and largely popular – festival returns to the Holy City for its third year with free tours and access to amazing
structures and sites across the city. Led by certified tour guides,
architects, city planners, historians, or Jerusalem lovers, learn about
how the physical design of the building influences your experience of
the place; or, in other words, how architecture works. While most tours
are open to the public (just check the site for visiting hours), some
tours are limited to 30 participants and therefore pre-registration is
required (available through the website).
And the list of places to invade is long and varied, including Kiryat Moshe’s Histadrut Veterans housing project, the Haim Hazaz house, the Anatot Light Ral depot and the Alhambra Palace, the Israel Museum restoration labs, historical
synagogues and the Mormon university.
Some of the most alluring sites are those that pique one’s
voyeuristic tendencies: the private homes. For example, the Shalom
House, 20 Ehad Haam Street, Talbia, belonged to Israel’s leading lawyer
during the British Mandate, Shalom Horrowitz. Visit his home to see the
ceiling he imported from Damascus or the cedar trees he had shipped to
his garden from Lebanon. Experience Israel’s earliest upper class
lifestyle for yourselves.
Aside from the tours,
there are several related events, including tours geared towards children, bicycle tours and performances. Please keep in mind that barging into
anyone’s home this weekend is clearly not encouraged; we strongly
suggest you stick to peeking into the homes and places listed as part
of Houses from Within only.
