Shaare Zedek old building, Jerusalem, Heritage site on Jaffa Road, Jerusalem, Israel.
Shaare Zedek is a stone structure on Jaffa Road combining German architectural features with local Jerusalem design, featuring high ceilings and large windows that bring in plenty of natural light. The exterior remains in its original form and is now protected as a historical landmark.
German architect Theodor Sandel designed this structure in 1897, establishing the first Jewish hospital to operate beyond Jerusalem's Old City walls. This development marked an important shift in how the city's medical care was organized and delivered.
The building reflects a meeting of European and local building traditions that shaped Jerusalem during the late 1800s. Walking around it today, you can see how these different influences came together in the stone work and overall design.
The site sits on Jaffa Road on the western side of Jerusalem and is best explored on foot, as the area contains several nearby points of interest. Morning visits work well since natural light at that time highlights the stone details of the building.
Within the grounds stands a cemetery established during the 1948 siege, holding graves of several prominent Jerusalem rabbis and the hospital's founding director. This quiet space is often passed by visitors yet holds important stories from the city's most difficult period.
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