We
created the Capital Ideas section to cover the many gems
that Israel's capital has to offer.
While tour groups frequent this spot, tourists who
travel alone and are not part of an organized group
often miss one of best observation points in Jerusalem.
The Armon Hanatziv Promenade overlooks most of
Jerusalem and offers a beautiful view of the city. The
promenade is one of the more successful projects
initiated by former mayor Teddy Kollek under the
auspices of the Jerusalem Foundation.
Armon Hanatziv means the Commissioner's Palace. The
name is a bygone of another era, when the British High
Commissioner's house, was down the road.The house was
later used, after 1948, as the headquarters for UN
observers.
The promenade, which is about two-thirds of a mile
long (one kilometer), is at the southern end of the
city, viewing northwards, you can see on the left,
(westwards), new Jewish Jerusalem; straight ahead, the
Old City, Mount Zion, and the three valleys which
surround ancient Jerusalem, i.e. Tyroppean, Hinnom and
Kidron.
Beyond the Old City to the north is French Hill and
Mount Scopus. To the East you can see the Mount of
Olives, with it's three hallmark towers on the crest,
and beyond it the Judean wilderness. Way off the right
is "the hill of evil counsel," or the governer's
mansion, now a UN enclave.
At the very end of the promenade there is a lovely
little restaurant, called the Taverna, which is
accessible from Naomi Street in the Abu Tor
neighborhood.
To get the promenade by car, find the Jerusalem train
station, across the road from Liberty Bell Garden. Drive
around the bend in front of the station to the traffic
light at the intersection. Make a right onto Hebron Road
and continue southwards through several lights, about
four blocks. Turn left off Hebron road at the sign for
the Haas Promenade (East Talpiot) and continue straight
down to the end ot the street to the parking lot.
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