We have been talking much about the Augusta Victoria complex on Mt. of Olives this week.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension has a 60 meter tall bell tower.When the church was built in the early 20th century, the four heavy bells came by ship from Hamburg to Jaffa.
BibleWalks.com says that bringing them from the coast "required rebuilding the road from Jaffa to Jerusalem."
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Two stone eagles stand in the garden. The Adler with folded wings is a German imperial sign representing unity and power.
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What Kaiser Wilhelm II built in 1907-10 as a pilgrim hostel adjoining the church is today a hospital serving the Arab population of the Jerusalem area. (Photos will come soon.).
The sign shows some of the other nice things that call Augusta Victoria home.
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I'd fit in well among all those Lutherans there.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to look at my Hanukah posting tomorrow! I gave your blog address to a local Rabbi...
Have a peaceful Hanukkah, Dina!
ReplyDeleteThe eagle is funny, if one can call that a German imperial eagle...
ReplyDeleteStill marveling at the complex intertwining of cultures and religions in the symbolism in your city-- right down to the position of the eagle's wings. I'll bet he is looking to the right for a purpose too!
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