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City Guide - Tel Aviv - Key Attractions | ||
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Key Attractions Migdal Shalom (Shalom Tower) Standing at the north end of Tel Aviv's first road, Herzl Street, the Shalom Tower (or 'Tower of Peace') occupies the former site of Israel's first secular Hebrew-language grammar school, Gymnasia Herzliya. When it was built in 1959, this 40-storey tower was the tallest building in the Middle East, although it has recently been eclipsed by the communication tower in the military base, near the Tel Aviv Museum. Today, the Shalom Tower functions mainly as governmental and private offices, with a few shops at the base. On the top floor, however, the Observatory can be visited for a tremendous panoramic view of the city. A small museum displays a selection of old maps that plot Tel Aviv's relentless growth and an interactive audiovisual unit illustrates the history of Tel Aviv and Jaffa. 9 Ahad Ha'am Tel: (03) 517 7305. Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 1000-1830, Fri 1000-1400 and Sat 1100-1600. Admission: NIS15 (tickets from first floor, elevator nine). Shuk HaCarmel (Carmel Market) Situated in the middle of the Yemenite Quarter, this daily market extends along narrow HaCarmel Street, which branches off Allenby Street at Magen David Circle. Despite the lack of traffic, it is noisy with stall-holders' cries and busy with the crush of people. Visitors entering the market will find the initial stalls offering a selection of second-hand clothing and shoes. This section is worth viewing, although the 'fashions' on sale are reminiscent of the 1980s. HaCarmel's true gem, however, is situated farther south towards the bus station. A display of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and meats are on sale for the lowest prices in the city. Stalls often specialise in one item, offering crates of nectarines or olives. The market is a perfect location to observe the microcosm of religions that have evolved together in this Middle Eastern metropolis. HaCarmel Street Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 0830-1900, Fri 0900-1300. Transport: Bus 4. Admission: Free. Independence Hall The shell of the building that houses the Independence Hall is one of Tel Aviv's original structures, formerly occupied by Meir Dizengoff, the city's first mayor. On 14 May 1948, his home was the venue for the historic declaration that brought the State of Israel into being. The house has since become a museum recalling that momentous day and the events that led up to it. The building also serves as a museum detailing a pro-Zionist view of history. Among many extraordinary displays in the museum are some historic photographs: one shows sections of the sand dunes north of Jaffa being awarded by lot, as the desert land was originally divided up and appointed to Jewish settlers; one shows the United Nations (UN) in session, in November 1947, voting to partition Palestine; and one shows the meeting at which David Ben-Gurion announced the creation of Israel. 16 Rothschild Street Tel: (03) 517 3942. Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 0900-1400. Admission: NIS10 (concessions available). Eretz Israel Museum Constructed around an ancient archaeological site, the theme of the collection of pavilions that make up this museum is 'in the land of Israel' - it covers 3000 years in the history of Israel's material culture and ethnography. The most famous attraction in the complex is the Glass Pavilion, with one of the most renowned collections of glassware in the world. Exhibits trace the history of glassmaking from the earliest examples through to the Middle Ages. Demonstrations of glassblowing are sometimes given. The Kadman Numismatic Pavilion hosts a large collection of ancient coinage, tracing the history and development of currencies of the whole region. The Ceramics Pavilions have an extensive collection of Arabic pottery; highlights include excellent examples of Gaza and Akko ceramics. The Nechustan Pavilion concentrates mainly on finds at the Timna copper mines, more famously known as King Solomon's Mines. Visitors are advised to buy a site map on arrival to the museum to help find their way around the different pavilions. 2 Haim Levanon Street Tel: (03) 641 5244. Fax: (03) 641 2408. Web site: www.eimuseum.co.il Transport: Bus 24, 27, 45, 75 or 86. Opening hours: Sun-Tues and Thurs 0900-1500, Wed 0900-1700, Sat 1000-1400. Admission: NIS20 (no concessions). |