Scenic path along the mountain of Ramat Rachel (1.7 km)
Location: Ramat Rachel, Jerusalem
Materials: Stone, white concrete, compressed gravel
Dimensions: 1800 m long
Project History:
1995 -1997 Section E- the Park of Olives (320m)
2000 -2002 Section B – The western slope (245m)
2013 -2015 Section A - The Archaeological Garden (330m)
2020 Section E – the Paamon outpost area
Key Meanings: Panoramic views over Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the Judean desert, connecting the points of interest of the mountain
Artist Statement: The Ramat Rachel Promenade project creates a 1800 m long scenic path along the southern upper part of the mountain, overlooking the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem and the Judean desert. The path begins at the archaeological site, passes through the western slope of the ancient terraces, continues to the southern slope with the kibbutz tourist facilities: the hotel, sports center and banquet garden and ends in the east at the park of olives and the 1967 outposts on the ‘Green Line’. The promenade aims at preserving the values of the ancient landscape in midst of rapidly evolving modern urban construction.
General Plan for the creation of a Promenade for the Mountain of Ramat Rachel – Ran Morin, Elie Benwalid 2018
The Ramat Rachel Promenade; a 1.8 km path with panoramic views over Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the Judean Desert (895 m built)
Section A -330 m: The Archaeological Garden (built), Section B –245 m: The Western Slope (built), Section C – 750 m : The Southern Slope (unbuilt), Section D – 160 m: The eastern slope (unbuilt), Section E – 320 m: The Park of Olives (built)
Project for the construction of a Café-restaurant with a panoramic view Terrace;
Three floors, 442 sqm +70 sqm terrace, includes restrooms for the Archaeological Garden
Points of interest along the Ramat Rachel Promenade
Aerial view of The tourism area of Ramat Rachel with the hotel and sports center – 2013
Section C (760 m - unbuilt)
The Southern Slope Promenade
The Southern slope promenade passes through the Tourism area of the kibbutz, which includes the Sports center, the hotel and the events garden area. The works in this section are expected to be massive due to the topography and the full accessibility for the disabled and intensive gardening level required in the Hotel area.
View of Ramat Rachel in the 1930’s – looking east from the ‘Big House’ (the hotel today)
The Southern Slope Promenade
Kibbutz Ramat Rachel of ‘Gdud Havoda’ (regiment of work) established in 1926, is one of the important examples of early Zionism’s quest for creating Israel. It has been destroyed by attacks of its neighbors in 1929 and 1948 to be rebuilt each time by its members. As part of the Promenade project it is proposed to create a documentation and presentation center dedicated to the history of the place.
Points of interest along the Ramat Rachel Promenade
Section E (320 m - built)
The Park of Olives Promenade
Built Between 1987-1997, The Park of Olives includes the environmental sculpture ‘Olive Columns’ (1991) around which 300 olive trees were planted in 27 rows in a concentric plan. Three main paths lead to the sculpture from Sculptural entrance elements. The Promenade path was built along the 800 m high topographic line along the top of the mountain with panoramic views over Bethlehemm, the Judean Desert and Jerusalem. In the eastern part of the park are located Israeli and Jordanian Military Outposts along the ‘Green Line’ which served in the battles of 1967.
Points of interest along the Ramat Rachel Promenade
Olive Columns (1991) and the Park of Olives (1997) in Ramat Rachel Jerusalem. Above: view from the east December 2021, Below: View from the west March 2022
