The German Colony is Haifa’s most charming neighborhood, a tree-lined boulevard of 19th-century stone houses built by German Templars that now houses restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and galleries. Ben Gurion Boulevard runs in a straight line from the port uphill toward the Baha’i Gardens, and walking its length is one of the pleasures of visiting Haifa.
The Templars
The German Templars (not the medieval knights) were a Protestant sect from Wurttemberg who came to the Holy Land in 1868 to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. They built orderly, European-style colonies with solid stone houses, red-tiled roofs, and productive gardens. Their architectural legacy is visible across Israel, from Haifa to Jaffa to Jerusalem and Alonei Abba, but the Haifa colony is the best preserved and most atmospheric.
Several of the original houses still bear German inscriptions above their doors, quoting scripture or recording construction dates. The Templar community was expelled during World War II due to their German citizenship and, in some cases, Nazi sympathies, and their properties were seized by the British and later transferred to the State of Israel.
Today
The German Colony today is Haifa’s dining and nightlife center. The restored stone buildings house restaurants serving everything from Arab cuisine to Italian food, and the outdoor seating along the boulevard is the best people-watching in the city. The view up the boulevard toward the illuminated Baha’i Gardens at night is one of the iconic images of Haifa.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
The German Colony is the natural starting point for any Haifa tour. Hoshen Tours uses it as a base for exploring the city, combining a walk along the boulevard with the Baha’i Gardens above and the port below.