Western Jerusalem

This page contains pictures taken in the western part of Jerusalem. Many of them were shot in my first few days there (when I didn't know anything about the city), so they are rather random and it was hard collect something for this home page.

Terra Sancta College belonging to the Franciscan Order. It was built by Italian architect Barluzzi in 1927.

This abstract sculpture stands in the garden of the Van Leer Institute. The institute was founded by Polly Van Leer in 1956. It is a non-political organization studying Israel-Arab relations. (A vast subject, definitely.)

I lived not far from the campus (less than 15 min walk). I managed to find a route over the ridge of one small hill so that I can enjoy a view to the West!

The Greek Catholic Monastery of the Holy Cross is situated in the Valley of Cross, which is near the Knesset. It was built in the 6th century but destroyed by the Persians in 614 and once again by Caliph Hakim in 1009. The present building was rebuilt by Georgian monks in the 11th century.

A legend says that the tree from which the cross of Jesus was taken grew here.