Givat Ram

Givat Ram is a neighborhood in central Jerusalem. It is home to Kiryat HaMemshala, which means "Government Complex" in Hebrew. This area includes many of Israel's important institutions.

You can find the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Givat Ram. The Israel Museum is also there, along with the private Bible Lands Museum. Other important buildings include the Supreme Court, the Bank of Israel, the Academy of the Hebrew Language, and the National Library. One of the campuses of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is located here too. Many government ministries have their offices in Givat Ram.

Etymology

There are two ideas about the name "Givat Ram." One idea says that "Ram" is short for "Rikuz Mefakdim," which means "officers' assembly" in Hebrew. So, Givat Ram would mean "Officers' assembly hill."

Another idea says that "Ram" stands for "Rehavia Hamurhevet," meaning the expansion of Rehavia. Old maps show that people tried to build this neighborhood a long time ago, in the 1940s.

History

Main article: Sheikh Badr, Jerusalem

Before 1948, maps of the area were called Karam es Sila. This name meant it was a grape field belonging to a family or near stone quarries.

In December 1949, the Israeli government decided to build a government area in Jerusalem. They chose Givat Ram, a hill in the west part of the city. This area was perfect for building important places like government offices, a university, and museums. Today, Givat Ram has many important buildings. These include the Knesset, government offices, the Israeli Supreme Court, the Israel Museum, the Bible Lands Museum, the Bloomfield Science Museum, a campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the National Library of Israel, and Binyanei HaUma - The National Convention Center.

The northern part of the neighborhood, where many government offices are located, is called Kiryat HaLeom. A new apartment project named Mishkenot Ha’uma is being built there. The Wohl Rose Garden is also in this neighborhood.

High-Tech village

The Givat Ram High-Tech Village was created by the Jerusalem Development Authority and the Hebrew University. It is one of Israel’s earliest high-tech parks. It was built near places where scientists study new ideas. The village gives new technology businesses a good place to start.

Archaeological findings

Before buildings were built in Givat Ram, people searched for old things buried underground. In 1949, they found old water tanks and bricks. In 1968, more old pieces were found where a big hotel would be built. Later, in 1992 and 1993, they found even more old items, like pieces of stone floors.

Photo gallery

Here are some pictures of important places in Givat Ram:

• Aerial photograph of the Israel Museum, with the Knesset in the background
• Supreme Court of Israel, with the Knesset on the background
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the Bank of Israel in the background
• Knesset at Dusk
• Aerial view of Givat Ram