Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel
Tel Aviv is a relatively young city whose life is inextricably linked to ancient Jaffa. The AirPano Virtual Tour is dedicated to these extraordinary and legendary places.
The first record of Jaffa dates back to the chronicles of ancient Egypt in the 15th century BC. According to ancient Greek mythology, its shores are believed to be where Andromeda was rescued by Perseus. This is where the prophet Jonah embarked on his journey, where he saw a vision when the apostle Peter was in Jaffa.
Throughout its history, Jaffa was occupied by Egyptians, Arabs, Romans, crusaders led by Richard the Lionheart, Napoleon's army, and other victorious armies. Before World War I, Jaffa, like many other cities in Palestine, was part of the Ottoman Empire. About 50,000 people live here, including Muslims, Jews and Christians.
In 1909, a new district was established in Jaffa, which was later named Tel Aviv. The name means "hill of spring" in Hebrew. The district gradually developed into an independent town; Then in 1950, it was unified and a new administrative unit of the young Israeli state was created under the name Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Now it is the second largest city in the country after the capital.
During the day and at sunset, Jaffa is dotted with picturesque. Its historical part is a spectacular tourist center, with old sights juxtaposed with new ones. The remains of the city walls are reminiscent of the Ottoman period; The focal point of Kedumim Square is the archaeological site, while Israeli stamps depict the Jaffa Bell Tower, built in 1903. Many restaurants, markets, temples, galleries and museums are located here. Near the famous harbor, there is the Rock of Andromeda: the woman saved by Perseus is locked to the stone on it. Among other important landmarks in Jaffa, there is a gate that dates back to the dynasty of Ramses II. Archaeologists discovered it in the 1960s, but the initial discoveries were taken to the museum, while elaborate replicas were exhibited outdoors.
Due to the large number of white buildings built between 1920 and 1950, and inspired by Bauhaus architecture, Tel Aviv was nicknamed the White City. Of these more than 4,000, the complex has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as "an outstanding example of new town planning and architecture in the early 20th century".
Yachting enthusiasts consider Tel Aviv Marina to be one of the most convenient marinas in the Mediterranean, and visitors usually enjoy the stunning sea views here. In the south, there is Tel Aviv's first beach, formerly named Allenby after the street that leads to it. In 1987, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the unification of Jerusalem, the name was changed to Jerusalem Beach. The beach is open all year round and features a fish restaurant, playground and volleyball court.
Here, Charles Kroll Park has a rather interesting history. In the 1960s, the buildings in this neighborhood were demolished, but the huge amount of construction waste that had piled up there was not removed. When the municipality realized the problem, it decided to cover the ruins with mud, which was a much cheaper solution, and plant grass on it. British financier and philanthropist Charles Clore raised donations to make it a reality. Now trees and shrubs not only decorate the park, but also protect the coastline from erosion. There are playgrounds and sculptures - now it is a popular place to relax.
In the 1990s, the park was connected to Jaffa by a promenade. Here, together with AirPano, you complete your tour of these outstanding cities of different eras but with a common history.