Schneller Orphanage, Heritage site and orphanage in Jerusalem, Israel
The Schneller Orphanage is a large compound in Jerusalem with buildings that once housed children, classrooms, and workshops for various trades. The complex included dormitories, a flour mill, bakery, printing press, and laundry facilities that operated as a self-contained community.
Founded in 1860 by Johann Ludwig Schneller, this German Protestant institution cared for orphans from the Middle East and Europe. It operated independently until World War II, when British authorities repurposed the site for military use.
The institution taught practical trades including tailoring and carpentry to children from across the Middle East and Europe who lived here. The layout of workshops and living quarters shows how daily life centered on learning and self-sufficiency.
The site is now preserved with several buildings that retain their original layout and structure for visitors to explore. It helps to allow enough time to walk through different areas of the compound and get a sense of how it was organized.
Excavations beneath the grounds have uncovered remains of a Jewish settlement from the Second Temple period and an ancient Roman bathhouse. These archaeological finds show that the land has been occupied and used for thousands of years before the orphanage was built.
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