Talbiyeh Neighborhood in Jerusalem (Talbieh)
Talbiya, also known as Talbiyeh neighborhood, is a mostly upscale community in Jerusalem that was established in the 1920s and 1930s on the property bought from Jerusalem’s Greek Patriarchate. It is situated between the neighborhoods of Rechavia and neighborhood of Katamon and consists mainly of stone buildings with a European architectural style.
In the early years of the Talbiyeh neighborhood, Christian Arabs from the Christian community built many elegant homes with variety of styles including Renaissance, Arab and even Moorish design . These homes were design with trees and gardens in mind.
The land that is now occupied by the Talbieh neighborhood was purchased in the 1920s by Constantine Salame, a Christian-Arab contractor. He purchased it from the Church of Greek Orthodox.
Villa Salameh in Talbiyeh (photo credits to Sir kiss)
In 1882, Salame then built a villa for his own use and on the central square of Talbieh, he also owned two apartments. Talbieh was known as a wealthy Christian-Arabs and British officials’ residential area until the Independence War of Israel and turned into a commercial quarter in the aftermath. Jews moved in after the war to the area and have occupied since then.
Following the Palestine War of 1948, the residents of Talbiyeh, mainly the Arabs and Salameh, lost their claim to their lands a result of Israel’s law, designating any person who was not present in 1948 and did not have permission from Israeli authorities to be considered an absentee.
At first Salameh wanted to get his land back by appealing to the court, however with no luck to convince the court he just accepted a compensation which is a total of $700, 000.
The villas that were once located in Talbiyeh neighborhood used to house foreign consulates and embassies before the tragic Six-Day War of 1967. With Jerusalem at the center of the Arab-Israeli conflict, many countries felt it necessary to be close to Jerusalem while they attempted to promote and protect their diplomatic interests in the region.
Jerusalem is a city that boasts a rich cultural heritage and it is no surprise that they are home to some of the most influential cultural institutions in the country. These include the notable Jerusalem Theater, which one of Israel’s most notable theaters. This theater has been hosting concerts and shows for over a century and is also home to the Israeli Ministry of Culture so it’s a place that blends entertainment with culture.
The house of the President, Beit HaNassi is also found in this neighborhood- both of which are important centers for dialogue, culture and education.
There are also two prestigious educational institutions located in the Talbieh neighborhood, namely the Van Leer Institute as well as the Israeli Academy of Science and Humanities.
The Israeli Academy of Sciences and Humanities, was established in 1961 with a goal of creating a space for the fields of humanities and scientists and bring them together. Nearby is the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, which was established in 1906 as an institution for training artists and designers with technical skills.
The Van Leer Institute can also be found in Talbieh and is a popular destination to explore various subjects including philosophy, education and many other things. Individuals usually visit the Van Leer Institute to strengthen their knowledge about Israeli democracy.
