Yesterday, August 15th, marks exactly 26 years since the last train left Jerusalem's 'First Station.'
When the station closed the complex became neglected until reconstruction and preservation works took place to enable its reopening in 2013.
The original station included a 2-story building, a mechanism for changing the direction of the train, a shelter & a large water tank.
Over time, various additions were built, including a layer of concrete that covered the roof in fear of bombing by Italian ‘planes during the British Mandate.
Jerusalem started to develop outside of the Old City walls at the end of the 19th century, however access roads to the city were frequently disrupted & travel time to & from Jaffa took about 10 hours by camel or donkey carts.
There was a demand for more efficient & faster transportation from pilgrims arriving at Jaffa port.
The philanthropist Moshe Montefiore appealed to the British & Ottoman authorities to open a railway line from Jaffa to Jerusalem, but this was rejected for political & economic reasons.
It was Jerusalem-born banker & businessman Yosef Navon, who kick-started investment in the vision of establishing the railway line, obtaining a 71-year franchise for the construction - which took 2 years, & cost 14 million francs.
On September 26, 1892, the first train from Jaffa entered the Jerusalem station to a festive ceremony attended by the city’s Jewish & Arab dignitaries.
Among those attending the ceremony was Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the Hebrew lexicographer & editor (1858-1922) who is known as the father of spoken Hebrew, reviving the Hebrew language & developing it as a modern & viable instrument of communication.
The station is one of only a few public buildings built in Jerusalem during the Ottoman period.
The train also passed through Lod, Ramle, Sajd, Deir Aban (near Beit Shemesh) & Batir. Travel time from Jaffa was shortened to 3 hours & the train to Jerusalem became popular & profitable.
Today, the old train station, ‘The First Station’, is a popular & vibrant area for families, singles & couples, with restaurants, bars, shops & entertainment.
Come tour Jerusalem with me & visit this fascinating historical site.
My price includes:
all admission fees
liability insurance, fuel, road tolls
car parking
snacks & water a unique souvenir of your tour
My TripAdvisor reviews https://shorturl.at/aIR47
Please don't hesitate to be in touch imagineisrael8@gmail.com, or by
phone/WhatsApp +972 54 2390412 if I can help plan your tour.
Photo credits: National Library










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