SARONA YESTERYEAR
SARONA, a colony that was founded by the German Templers in 1871. They bought land 4 km from Jaffa and planned to live a farming life – being fed up with city life. The settlement was designed in the form of a cross with the main streets perpendicular to each other: Christophe Hoffman Street (now David Elazar Street) and the Sea Road (now Kaplan Street).
The Templers built simple straight-lined houses with thick insulated stone walls from local building materials, however, the architecture was based on what they were culturally familiar with from Germany: the buildings are single-storey with attics and basements for the servants, sloping tiled roofs with gables and large windows which let light into the houses, except that in Israel wooden shutters were added to provide shade. The Templers built about thirty houses, two public buildings: one a community hall and the other was a House of Assembly. Both buildings are located at the north intersection of the colony. They also established an olive press and a large winery.
The Templers brought modern farming methods and modern agricultural equipment and started working the fields surrounding Sarona. They, among other things, grew olive trees, vineyards, citrus trees and wheat. The Templers maintained good neighborly relations and made sure to hire Jews to milk their cows and for cheese and milk production in order to keep all products kosher.
During the Mandate period the population of Sarona increased to 428 residents, the community’s economy expanded from agriculture to cottage industries, light industry and professionals. The settlement was declared a local council in 1925 and a school for the children of Sarona was established (the now defunct maternity hospital “The Kirya”).
SARONA TODAY:
Sarona Gardens is now an open public park in midtown Tel Aviv. The park combines green space with boutique shops scattered throughout, eateries and entertainment places, as well as art galleries, museums and cultural venues. Templer houses, some of which even had to be relocated, underwent rigorous conservation and renovation. Now they are fashion and accessories stores, gourmet restaurants and museums, like the Olive Mill and the Opticana Museum. Soon an underground tunnel between the winery and the distillery will be opened. There is a shop that provides food for a picnic in straw baskets for patrons who want to lay out a blanket and enjoy a meal on the lawn.
The idea is to allow residents of Tel Aviv a magical setting in the heart of the city where a range of entertainment options are offered for all ages, from tiny tot and toddler playgrounds to playgrounds for children age six and up, a Garden for Music, a Templer bowling alley, a medicinal herb garden and event areas.
Behind the Sarona Garden Park, three 30-storey residential towers are being built, all apartments come with sun balconies and many nice finishing touches. Sarona Towers are located in the center of Tel Aviv and major transportation arteries leading out are easily accessible.
Sarona Market is Israel’s largest indoor culinary center adjacent to the West Sarona Tower. This is a covered food market of about 100 shops and food stalls in a commercial area of about 8,700 square meters.
In conclusion: you can find common interests between the German Templers who sought refuge from city life and wanted to return to nature, and the people of Tel Aviv seeking a “green lung” and a rural environment.