Page 9 - Old Katamon adv-RB_Neat

9
Advanced Level – ‫קטמון הישנה‬

Old Katamon

The neighborhood’s lands were bought by the Greek Orthodox at
the end of the 19th century. In the early 20th century, the Greek

fell into financial difficulties and were forced to sell the
neighborhood’s lands.

An ad in the Palestine newspaper tried to persuade residents to

buy the land:
“Katamon land. Fresh [clean] air and an affordable price. Seize
the opportunity… the land is divided to lots in the loveliest
way…”

Many of the rich Christian Arabs bought lands in the
neighborhood. The neighborhood’s distance from the city
appealed to the Christian Arabs’ elite. The plots were wide and

allowed for the construction of big houses.

The Jews preferred not to buy lands in this area, because it was

surrounded by Christian neighborhoods.

In its first few years Katamon was secluded, [something] which

made it difficult for its residents. At first they used to do their
shopping at the German Colony, and even at the old city’s market.

Slowly, little grocery-stores popped up in the neighborhood,

private schools and sport clubs were established. Arriving at the

neighborhood were also embassies of different countries, among

which were also Arab countries like Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

During the War of Independence, Katamon connected the Jewish

neighborhoods at the south of the city with the neighborhoods at

the north of the city, so the Haganah had to conquer the

neighborhood and connect the neighborhoods. Fierce and hard

battles were held in the neighborhood, at the end of which it was

conquered. The neighborhood was settled with refugees from the

Jewish quarter, which had been entirely destroyed during the war.

Some of the refugees and their families live in Katamon to this

day. On Hizkiyahu Hamelekh St. in the neighborhood, (you) can
find the synagogue they had built, called “Refugees of 5708
(1948)”

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