The Library of Congress has recently digitalized a collection of over 10,000
photographs, taken by the "American Colony" in Jerusalem, a group of Christian
utopians who lived in Jerusalem between 1881 and the 1940s. The photographers
returned to the US, and bequeathed their massive collection to the Library of
Congress in 1978. The collection includes Winston Churchill's visit to
Jerusalem, Jewish expulsions from the Old City during Arab riots, and the
building of Tel Aviv.
These pictures were taken from the newly constructed YMCA tower in
Jerusalem in 1933. The photographer was looking east toward the Old City and the
Mount of Olives beyond. The photo also shows four domes in close proximity to
the Temple Mount -- the Dome of the Rock and then three domes in a row to the
right, the Hurva Synagogue, followed by the Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue, and then
the Al Aqsa Mosque.
Prominent in the foreground is the King David Hotel.
In the background are the Mount of Olives and Mount Scopus. The two large
synagogues were blown up in 1948 after the Old City and Jewish Quarter fell to
the Jordanian Legion.
In 1949, the city of Jerusalem was riven by an armistice lines with
barbed wires, walls, and border crossings. It remained split until 1967 when the
city was reunited in the "Six-Day War."
More photos can be viewed at www.israeldailypicture.com
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