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The Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem

Jerusalem travel guide

The Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem named after the Tish family, or in short the Biblical Zoo, is a zoo located on Derech Aharon Shulov 1 in Jerusalem, on the northern slopes of Nahal Refaim near Ein Yael and Ein Lavan springs. The uniqueness of the zoo is in presenting a zoological collection of Eretz Israel animals, some of which have even been mentioned in the Bible.

This zoo is one of the six zoos that are members of the Israeli Zoo Organization. According to the “Dun & Bradstreet” rating – the Biblical Zoo was the most popular attraction in Israel between the years 2005-2007, and in 2009 738,000 visitors were registered.

The zoo is uniquely built and displays the animals while integrating into the landscape. The park was designed by architect Lenny Raviv of the Miller Bloom Environmental Planning Office [14], with the goal of giving animals as similar conditions as possible to the conditions in nature. The animals are not in cages, and between the crowd and the animals there are deep ditches that prevent contact between the animals and visitors. The gene is divided into several areas, with each area having animals according to a certain category (for example, according to the continent from which the animals came).

Adjacent to the park is the Jerusalem Railway Station – the Biblical Zoo, which began operating in the second half of the 1990s and reopened in 2005 and closed when the new Jerusalem – Yitzhak Navon Railway Station opened in 2018.

Archaeological excavations have been carried out in the area of the zoo and the remains of agricultural farms dating from the third millennium BC have been discovered. Most of the exhibits discovered in the area date from the Middle Bronze Age (the first half of the second millennium BC).

At the end of the African Yard route is the Zoo Visitor Center in the shape of a Noah’s Ark where there is a kiosk, a movie theater and a souvenir shop. The center was established by Aharon Shulov in 1990 with the first film in the cinema hall that tells about the construction of the biblical zoo.

Opening hours:
Sun-Thu 09:00-18:00
Fri 09:00-16:00
Sat 09:00-17:00

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Piccolino: A Unique and Delicious Italian Dairy Restaurant in Jerusalem

If you're looking for a unique and delicious dining experience in Jerusalem, look no further than Piccolino. This strictly kosher Italian dairy restaurant, located in the historic alleys of Nachalat Sheva, is owned and operated by a rooted Jerusalem family who have been serving up European standards of service, hospitality, and food for three generations. The menu at Piccolino is varied and rich, with only the freshest ingredients used to create mouth-watering dishes. Breakfast options include a range of tasty meals alongside fine Italian coffee, while lunch and dinner feature fresh pasta dishes, home-cured fish, steamed dishes, and delightful desserts. The restaurant also offers private rooms for events of various sizes, and live music can be enjoyed throughout the day and evening in the courtyard. What sets Piccolino apart from other restaurants in the area is its commitment to community and social responsibility. The restaurant employs new immigrants and workers with disabilities, making them an integral part of the staff and full partners in the joint work. Additionally, every Friday the restaurant opens its doors free of charge to IDF soldiers, and any leftover food is donated to yeshivas and institutions for girls at risk. The atmosphere at Piccolino is truly exceptional, with friendly staff and beautiful decor. Customers rave about the large portions, excellent service, and the overall quality of the food. Some even come from far and wide, like the New Yorkers on vacation who were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, despite their high standards for Italian cuisine. Overall, Piccolino is a wonderful choice for anyone looking for a delicious meal in a beautiful setting, while also supporting a socially responsible business that gives back to the community. Highly recommended!

Nachlaot Neighbourhood Jerusalem

Located in the center of the city, providing a bridge between the uptown feel of Rechavia, to the authentic Machane Yehuda market, is Nachlaot. The old neighborhood provides a unique glimpse to the first days of western Jerusalem The establishment of the neighborhood began back in the 1800s and was made possible thanks to Sir Moshe Montefiore who donated many of the funding for it. Built in the beginning with divided areas for the Ashkenazi and Sephardi congregations, it didn’t take much time until the neighborhood became bigger thanks to the help of new immigrants from Europe and beyond. Most of the buildings from that time still exist today and have signs with pictures and information from the time of their first inhabitants. Mahane Yehuda Market Once occupied mostly by a population of elderly religious people, today, Nachlaot has transformed into an artistic neighborhood attracting students studying in various art schools in Jerusalem. Having said this, Nachlaot, like many of the other neighborhoods in Jerusalem, has become a magnet to many American Jews who are buying property in it for personal use or as an investment. Those who will take a stroll down the streets of Nachlaot, will witness this odd blend of hippies and Yiddish speaking ultra orthodox Jews, all coming back from the market with groceries on Fridays at noon.

The Old City Market in Jerusalem

Set along narrow alleys, mostly within the Muslim Quarter, the Old City of Jerusalem is famous with its colorful market called "Shuk" in Hebrew. The market offers a fascinating variety of lively shops and stalls, from mixed nuts and spices, to different kinds of sweets and pastries, vegetables and falafel, along with souvenirs, ceramics and oriental jewels and cloths. Walking around the market you are likely to see the Arab vendors carrying green carts full of their famous delicious bagels, while others are busy selling their goods to the passing tourists. Do not hesitate to bargain for lower prices, it is commonly acceptable. http://www.inisrael.com/tour/jer/vt_market.htm

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