Tucked away behind store fronts and a newly-built
apartment complex on Jerusalem 's King David Street Old City
A beautifully-carved door conceals the four-storey building in the form of a painstakingly reconstructed Moroccan palace featuring
architectural motifs from Morocco and the Andalusia Alhambra Palace. Expert artisans in zellige – the mosaic floor
and wall coverings – were brought from Morocco to Jerusalem to create the
absolutely authentic atmosphere and surroundings of back home for them and that
which hundreds of thousands of Jews left behind but never forgot.
Elaborately carved cedar wood beams, imported
from the Atlas Mountains, and great expanses of decorative stucco walls and arches
leave one in awe - and with a stiff neck from looking up in order to absorb the
true beauty of the intricate work of the artisans Spanish-Moorish style.
Breathtaking craftsmanship of Moroccan artisans in
Jerusalem
Leading off the central patio on all levels are
spacious exhibition halls showing artworks and photographs with texts
detailing the period of history depicted.
Apart from a library, the building is full of furniture, carpeting,
vessels, clothing, - to help conjure up a picture of
the richness of Jewish life in the Magreb for those Ashkenazi outsiders like
myself. The fourth floor contains a
music room and audiovisual centre which screens a short film of the delights of
Morocco
Even though the Heritage Centre was opened over a year ago, it is still somewhat of a
hidden gem to Israelis and overseas visitors. Groups of 10 or more can arrange a tour of the building (in Hebrew, French or English) by
contacting Natalie at (02) 6235811. There is no access to individuals at this stage.
(My thanks to Jill Rosenfield for her pictures and
Lydia Aisenberg for text)
Lydia Aisenberg for text)
