The combination of proliferous Bauhaus buildings and Jaffa stone makes for a gorgeous white tableau. Thousands of Bauhaus buildings by Jewish German architects are seen throughout the city, so don't miss walking on Rothcild Boulevard. Sad note: many buildings have been defaced by graffiti.
This is by far one of the most overrated "attractions" in Tel Aviv.
The old Bauhaus architecture style got this area of the city nicknamed "The white city".
Well, it's all nice and pretty, as long as you love strolling in residential streets and gaze at utterly ugly Bauhaus buildings.
Bet hey, UNESCO declared it to be a "World Heritage Site", so who am I to judge?
If you can get a tour of the White City, do it. Tel Aviv has the greatest extant collection of International Style (of the 1930s) buildings in the world and is recognized for this by UNESCO. The style was perfect for a city needing to grow rapidly on sand dunes near the sea...with its functional layout, shaded windows and elevation on columns(a local addition) to capture sea breezes, the styles elegant simplicity was just what was needed.And today its value is much appreciated--allowed to become dilapidated over time, now hundreds of the buildings are landmarked, restored and in great demand at high prices. Check out details such as thermometer like window openings in stairwells, strip windows and slight overhangs to give shade, deco like finishings in lobbies...it all had a socialist touch to it with the idea that labourers building the nation state should have functional yet attractive places to which to come home.
Allthough december and january are not very tourist months for Tel Aviv, it was good to see this architectural part of history. I have the impression that people don't always realise this 'treasure', but with a free guiding tour starting in Dizengoff it is a real pleasure.
Just enjoy the lovely buildings and walk and wander around. OK some of them are not in very good condition but so what? Still a very surprising and interesting neighborhood.
OK Tel Aviv is a paradise of Bauhaus Architecture and White City is not but so what? Forget everything you learned & knew, just walk.
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