The city of Jaffa, Israel (also called Jaffa), is one of the oldest in the country. Once, back in antiquity, it was the main port of the state in the Mediterranean. The history of the city begins during the reign of Egyptian kings and Roman power. Today, Jaffa is mainly inhabited by the Arabic-speaking population. In addition, the city itself is currently included in Tel Aviv. Jaffa (Israel) allows you to take a break from the hectic modern life, as well as get acquainted with local attractions. It offers a wonderful view of the sea. In the suburbs you can find many cozy restaurants and cafes, atmospheric narrow streets and architectural monuments. All this creates a unique flavor of the seaside Jaffa. What else is famous for this town in Israel? We will tell about its legends and sights in this publication.
Legends of the city
Jaffa (Israel), whose photo you can see below, is associated with several legends. Some explain the name of the city, while others refer toabout the history of local attractions. So, there are several options for the origin of the word "Jaffa". According to one version of the legend, the name comes from the name of Japhet, who was the son of the biblical Noah. According to ancient Greek myths, some associate the history of the word with the mother of Andromeda, called Cassiopeia. However, in our time, the most reliable option seems to be that the name was borrowed from the old Hebrew language. And the word is translated as “beautiful.”
It is also believed that if a person touches his zodiac symbol on the local wish bridge and then looks into the distance, then his dream will come true.
How to get to Jaffa from Tel Aviv?
From the central part of Tel Aviv you can get here by taxi. To Jaffa it will cost from 30 to 40 ILS. In addition, you can also get there by public transport. For example, bus number 46 runs from Hahagana station or Merkazit Central Station. The fare will cost 13 ILS. Minibus taxi number 16 will take you to the embankment, from where you will need to walk a little more to the old suburb. It is best to go to the station called Arlozorov.
There is also another option: walk along the coast from the central part of Tel Aviv to Jaffa. But this is true only for those who do not find it burdensome to walk as much as 2.5 km.
Old and New City
Jaffa is divided into two parts. This is the Old and New City. Most of all, tourists like the first part, in which you canadmire famous architectural monuments, visit galleries and interesting shops. Mainly, this is the west of Yephet Street, which is located on a hill. From here you can see the sea coast. The new part of the city is located in the east of the same street. You can travel here by bus, but most often travelers prefer to walk to see the sights, and go only to the suburbs.
Historical background
For the first time the city is mentioned in sources that existed even before Christ. e. For example, Jaffa is found in the chronicles of the time of the pharaoh of Egypt named Thutmose III.
There are legends that it was in these parts that Noah built the legendary ark, and King Solomon arranged supplies of wood to build the famous First Temple in the future. It was he who was the only place allowed at that time in which orthodox Jews could pray. The current Wailing Wall is the remains of the Second Temple, which has survived in this form to the present. For a long period of time, Jaffa was subject to Rome, then Egypt (including in the time of Cleopatra), the Arabs, and Napoleon also visited this city.
Obviously, it is because of the ongoing wars and conquests that the historical appearance of these places has been lost. However, what has come down to us is valuable from a cultural point of view. At first, Tel Aviv was considered a suburb, but later it became the center, and the old city entered a single settlement in 1949.
Jaffa, Israel: Attractions worthy of everyone's attention
In the 90s, a large-scale restoration was carried out here, galleries and theaters, shops and cafes were opened, several streets were made for pedestrians. Old Jaffa (Israel) has become an atmospheric romantic suburb on the sea coast. The city has a lot of historical and cultural attractions that attract the attention of numerous tourists and even pilgrims.
For example, the Al-Bahr Mosque, which appeared on a painting by an artist named Lebrun in the last third of the 17th century. It is the oldest operating in this locality. Clock Square is known for its picturesque clock tower, which was built in 1906 in honor of Abdul-Hamid II. He was later overthrown during the events of the Young Turk Revolution.
Most of what was found by archaeologists in the area lay in the ground of Jaffa Hill. Here the Egyptian gate was restored, the age of which is estimated at 3500 years. Built on the remains of a crusader fortification, the 18th period house now houses a local museum.
What can a tourist do in the city?
The Farkashe Private Gallery has the world's largest collection of Israel's historical posters. Lovers of such things can visit this place and discover many new things.
In addition to visiting historical monuments, a traveler can also visit the local flea market. Here they buy both antiques and cheap items of clothing made fromnatural cotton fabric. On another, port market, you can buy fresh seafood. Jaffa is also famous for its famous hummus, which, according to the people of Tel Aviv, can be considered the most delicious in the country.
Orthodox Church of St. Peter
There is a Russian church in Jaffa, which is subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate. The temple was built on land that was bought with the assistance of A. Kapustin (archimandrite) in the second half of the 19th century.
But even before the construction of the church, there was a house for wanderers on this site, in which pilgrims professing Orthodoxy were received.
The walls of the temple are painted with scenes from the lives of saints. For example, the level of the choirs and the top of the altar pillars are decorated with images of ten of the twelve apostles, while the rest of the church is decorated with paintings of Paul and Peter.
Excavations in the garden area led by archimandrite and architect from Jerusalem K. Shik helped to find the burial place of the righteous Tabitha, in which a mosaic from the time of Byzantium of the 5th-6th centuries was preserved. Subsequently, a chapel was built over this place.
Catholic Church
In Jaffa (Israel), the Church of St. Peter was built not only by the Orthodox. There is also a Catholic church of the Franciscan Order. It was built back in the 17th century. Then, more than a hundred years later, the temple was destroyed, and subsequently rebuilt two more times.
The current look of the church was given in the period 1888-1894, and the last renovation dates back to 1903.
Today the temple is open every day. divine servicesare held in different languages - Spanish, Latin, and many others. etc. The church is visited by a large number of workers from Poland who come here on Saturday (that is, on weekends).
The facade of the temple has a bright orange color, and the bell tower is distinguished by its high height. That is why the churches of St. Peter are, in a sense, landmarks in the old suburb.
Not counting the murals with the righteous Tabitha and Francis of Assisi, many stained glass windows of the temple depict scenes from the life of saints from Spain. This is due to the fact that the current building was erected with the money of this particular country. The Church of St. Peter the Apostle includes an area with the ruins of the 13th century St. Louis Fortress.
There is evidence that Napoleon himself stopped here during the Egyptian campaigns.
The temple was built on this site because Old Jaffa means a lot to Christians around the world. Here, according to legend, the righteous Tabitha (or Tabitha, as they are also called), who was a disciple of Jesus Christ, was resurrected by Saint Peter.
