The Templer Inn Jerusalem is a small family-run
Bed & Breakfast that was recently opened in a former 1890s Templer mansion
in the German Colony of Jerusalem. The house of the inn was renovated and
restored to modern 21st century standards while preserving the
distinctive original style.
The Templer Inn is a two
story family house divided into four luxury authentic suites - two on the upper
floor that are accessed from the original lobby, and two in the lower floor
that are accessed directly from the garden.
Each suite features separate bedrooms and
living rooms with fully equipped kitchenettes including refrigerator, microwave,
hot-plate and espresso machine. Satellite TV and WiFi are standard. The
en-suite bathrooms offer abundant towels, bathrobes, slippers, and quality bath
gels and shampoos for each guest. The living room sofas can be made up as beds
for families with children.
The house was built around 1890 (the
exact date is unknown) by the Templer shoemaker Christian Jakob Messerle. The
Templers were a German Protestant sect which founded several
settlements (colonies) in the Holy Land in the late 19th century, one of them
in Jerusalem. They lived and worked there and made a significant contribution
to the construction of Jerusalem. During the world wars, they were arrested
because they were considered ‘enemy citizens’ and most of them were deported,
leaving the colony empty. The properties were confiscated by the British
authorities, and were later transferred to the ownership of the State of Israel
(that eventually compensated Germany for them). The houses were rented, and later sold to
the residents, from around the year 1950. This is where the history meets
Alon’s family. The house was bought by Alon’s grandmother, Aliza.
Aliza had one child, Yuval, who fought and was
killed in the 1967 ‘Six Days War’ leaving a one-year baby, Alon, who spent his
summers and weekends in this house. When Aliza died, Alon
decided to restore the house and bring it back to its former glory, the way he
remembered it as a child, while upgrading its facilities to 21st-cenutry
standards. It took two years to restore the house, which was an architectural
challenge. Alon made sure that the floor tiles were untouched, the original
doors and windows preserved and restored, and each and every piece of furniture
was refurbished and used.
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| The original door |
If you sit in the Templer Inn, it is likely
that you are sitting on one of 50 year old chairs and the lamp giving you light
is the original one. Even the grandmother’s books are here. It is a truly
unique experience. Many of the pictures in the house are of the German Colony
and the house’s history. The sign on the door says “Beham”, as this was Aliza
Beham’s house.
 |
| Original furnitures |
The most authentic suites are the lower level
ones with arched ceilings, thick walls and tiles. One was built from scratch as
it was the cistern of the house during Templer days.
Staying at the inn includes breakfast, which is
served in the groomed garden when weather permits. We sat there, drinking our
coffee, surrounded by flowers and an old olive tree. The setting was so
beautiful and the food so appealing, that pedestrians stopped to look, thinking
this was a coffee shop.
Breakfast is prepared by Alon’s wife who is a
chef. It included fresh home-made challah bread, cheeses, Israeli salad,
homemade vegetable tapas, eggs made to order and sweet pastry. This changes
according to the season and the guests’ preferences, and gluten free and
allergy-safe food can be served as needed. Everything was fresh and delicious,
we enjoyed every bite, and also our children were happy with it.
The house can also host private events of up to
70 people in the pleasant setting of the garden.
The location of the inn is the picturesque
German Colony neighborhood, across the street from the First Train Station.
The German Colony is a lovely place for an interesting
walk. You can stroll and look at the old houses; most of whom are also two
story brick houses. It is worth visiting the Khan Theatre, the Nature Museum
and the old Templer cemetery that is surrounded by a high brick wall. If it
isn’t open, you can peek inside through a window in the door and see the
tombstones and crosses.
Across the street from the Templer Inn is the First Train Station, which is also one of the
main entry points to the Train Track Park, a popular spot for joggers and
cyclers (different types of bikes, including family bikes are available for
rent).
The old city is within walking distance, and
there is a free shuttle from the First Train Station to the Western Wall.
There is free on-street parking in front of the
house on the basis of first comes first served.
The nightly price is between NIS 800-1200,
including breakfast. Not cheap but fair
for a stay that provides an authentic Jerusalem-of-old experience, in a fully
equipped suite.
The writer was
a guest of the inn.
Information
The Templer Inn, 16
Derech Beit Lechem, Jerusalem
Facebook: The Templer Inn
Phone: +972-2-5631956 Mobile:
+972-54-7442881
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