Another ‘Once upon a time in Jerusalem’,
The Generali Building under construction, at the corner of Shlomzion H’amalcha Street and Jaffa Street, 1934.
A horse-drawn carriage slowly makes its way toward what is now Shlomzion H’amalcha Street, while to the left, an automobile drives along today’s Jaffa Street. Just behind it on the left stands the building that now serves as City Hall.
The Generali Building was constructed by the Italian insurance company that gave it its name and was inaugurated in 1935. The lot was purchased by the company from the British authorities after it had served as a bus parking area.
The structure was designed by Italian architect Marcello Piacentini in the neoclassical style. Its triangular shape was carefully planned to fit the intersection of Jaffa and Shlomzion Streets.
Construction began in 1934 and finished in 1935 a much faster pace than today, even without modern technology or logistical support.
The ground floor housed shops and businesses, the insurance company occupied the central floors, and the upper levels were rented out as offices. Later, the building served as a supply center for the British army until it was seized by the E’tzel organization fighters during the War of Independence.
The lion on the roof is the emblem of the patron saint of Venice and of the city itself,
Not, as many mistakenly believe, the symbol of Jerusalem. Beneath it are Roman numerals reading 1831, marking the founding year of Generali.
Jerusalem’s urban legends tell that at night, after everyone has gone to sleep, the lion climbs down from the building, wanders the city streets, slips between the alleys, and looks for a quiet place to relieve himself. After all, standing in one spot all day can tire even a majestic stone lion.
In time, Jaffa Street became part of the light rail line, Shlomzion Hamalcha Street turned one-way, and at its end, a pedestrian mall now borders the Mamilla Mall. One of the last opportunities to see the street without traffic jams and with available parking was probably in this very photo.
That’s Jerusalem old meets new, international history faces local gridlock, and one sleepless lion with a restless bladder watch over it all.
Wishing Shabbat Shalom to those far and near from Jerusalem, welcome home to our returned hostages, and may we soon see all the captives and the fallen back among their families.
Photographer unknown
