Another historical sight in Israel that I have been to recently was Jaffa, Tel-Aviv, the place is locally known as, Yafo, from the Hebrew word yafa meaning beauty. It is, considered as, the oldest city in the whole world and according to Christian historians, Jaffa was named after one of Noah's three sons, Japhet, who built the city after the flood.
Historians believed that Jaffa is the only port in the world which can boast of uninterrupted inhabitation throughout its entire existence. The archaeological discoveries around the area proved that Jaffa existed as a port city some 4000 years ago, serving Egyptian and Phoenician sailors in their sea voyages.
Napoleon and Turkish sultans, all, conquered the city but it was during the Ottoman Empire's reign that the city's vitality declined. After World War I, the city was conquered by General Allenby, ushering in the period of British Mandate. Along this time, Jews suffered from programs and persecution at the hands of the Arabs until the declaration of the State of Israel in May 1948, Jewish families were organized and settled in the city.
(Above photo is the panorama of Tel-Aviv taken from the city of Jaffa.)
The construction of the Jaffa Clock Tower begun in 1901 in honor of Abdul Hamid II, Sultan of Turkey, together with the Arab Hebrew Theater and the Museum.
A glimpse at Jaffa, the white building, seen a far in the first photo, is the Court of the Old City and the Mahmud Mosque. The second one was taken at the Garden of Slope, can you see the rock in the center of the sea? That is believed to be Andromeda's rock, a part of Greek Mythology which tells the story of the beautiful princess of Ethiopia named Andromeda who was to be sacrifice to a sea monster to pacify the gods, but Perseus, her future husband, saved her.
The stone monument was made in memory of the restorers of the Jewish Yeshiva in the beginning of the 19th century. Next photo shows the pathway to the house of Simon the Tanner, the Coptic Orthodox saint associated with the legend of moving the Mokattam Mountain in Cairo, Egypt. That same way leads to the Jaffa Port Lighthouse, it was built in 1936 to serve and control ships navigating and docking along the port, today, it serves as the guiding light of yachts and fishing vessels.
There is a kiosk that sells postcards, souvenir products and snacks and you can while away time by sitting on the benches and chairs, have a snack or two, and look at the beauty that is Yafo. The second picture shows the entrance of Kikar Kedumim Square where archaeological excavations dating back to the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods can be found.
Inside the Kikar Kedumim Square, you can see rows of archaeological artifacts found in the area like jars, the capital marble during Corinthian time, a copy of the inscription dedicated to Ptolemy IV, the original is in Jaffa Antique Museum. Here, you can, also, watch a movie about the history of Jaffa, without additional cost, history and movie buffs will like it; on the way in, you will see the antique shop and the Ilana Goor Museum, which is home to the city's artists, it used to be a khan (hotel for visitors).
On the background of the first photo is the St. Peter's Church, established by the Franciscan Monastery in 1888; the Wishing Bridge is fabled to grant wishes to anyone who pass by, all you have to do is hold the zodiac signs and look at the sea and your wish will come true. I, sure, hope our wishes come true...
The Statue of Faith stands in Abrasha Park, the left side illustrates Jacob's dream, the Sacrifice of Isaac is depicted on the right side and the top brick illustrates the Fall of Jericho. The last photo is a brick wall of an Egyptian Fortress dated to the late Bronze Age (13th century) 3300 years ago.
Old Jaffa has since become one of Israel's tourist attractions. It is filled with artists' quarters, studios and art galleries. Shops catering to Judaica, archeology, jewelry and art lined its narrow alleys which are named after the signs of the zodiac. Visitors from, both, Israel and abroad enjoy dining in its unique restaurants or simply wandering around.
Old Jaffa Development Corporation
Old Jaffa, 17 Mazal Dagim Lane 68036
Tel: +972-3-6828006
Fax: +972-3-6811971
