Home > Sites > Sharon > Jaffa (Joppa, Yafo)

 

Contents: History Photos * Lower city * Old city * Artists shops * Museum * Port * Churches Historical Biblical Etymology Links Power Point shows

 

History of the place:

 

Jaffa (Yaffo, Joppa) is one of the oldest port cities in the land of Israel and the Mediterranean. Due to its natural advantages, a hill above a bay, and its strategic location on the crossroads of Israel, the city was a center of historical events over thousands of years.

 

Photos:

     

(a) Lower city:

 

Jaffa is located at the south of Tel-Aviv, and the main road from the hotels passes the center of Jaffa. In this busy center stands the old Turkish clock tower, built in 1906.

 

 

(b) Old city:

 

If you continue 1KM on the main road south of the clock tower, you should turn right following the signs to the old city of Jaffa. After parking the car on the south side of old Jaffa, you can walk up the steps to the top of the hill. The photo below shows one of the sides of the old city, facing the sea. You can turn right into the old city, or continue up the hill to the park.

 

 

In the park ("Ra'amses gate garden"), on the highest point of the city, you can see the excavated ruins of a brick wall of an Egyptian fortress dated to the late Bronze age (13th C BC).

 

 

In this  park is also a beautiful view of the beach front of Tel Aviv, with its high rising hotels.

 

 

(c) Artists Galleries and shops:

 

In the narrow alleys of the old city there are artists galleries, shops, museums and antique shops.  In the photo below - the entrance to the Ilana Goor art museum, which is a recommended place to visit.

 

 

On the western side of the alleys of the old city there is  a statue of a tree growing in the air. In other places there are pictures and other statues that are displayed by the artists.

 

 

(d) Jaffa Museum:

 

The Jaffa museum is located under the paved street on the top of the hill, in Kedumim Square. There are signs to its entrance, as seen below.

 

 

In the museum you can see the walls of Hellenistic and Roman Jaffa, as excavated at this site. Among the ruins are life-sized  figures that demonstrate the life in the old times. There is also an audio-visual show, and an exhibition of some archaeological findings.

 

 

(e) Port:

 

The old city overlooks the old port of Jaffa, where the ancient port was built. In the waters, behind the tower of the sea mosque,  you can see the remnants of  the ancient port, and the Andromeda rock.

 

 

Another view of the ancient pier  (right side) and the new pier (left side), which is used by fishermen and tourist boats. 

In the foreground - the old city houses above the port. On the left side (hidden) is according to the tradition the house of Simon the tanner, where St. Peter lodged  (as per Acts 10: "He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side").

 

 

(f) Churches and Monasteries:

 

In Jaffa there are many churches and monasteries.  In the photo below - the entrance to St. Peter's Roman-Catholic  Church and monastery, which was built in 1642, and is located on the western side of the hill. The church was built on top of an ancient fort that overlooked and protected the port. It honors St. Peter who according to Acts 9 performed the miracle of the resurrection of Tabitha.

 

 

References:

 

 Josephus Flavius (Wars Book 3: Chapter 9: 3,4)

 

Josephus describes the port of Jaffa (Joppa) at the times of the revolt against the Romans:

 

3. Now Joppa is not naturally a haven, for it ends in a rough shore, where all the rest of it is straight, but the two ends bend towards each other, where there are deep precipices, and great stones that jut out into the sea, and where the chains wherewith Andromeda was bound have left their footsteps, which attest to the antiquity of that fable. But the north wind opposes and beats upon the shore, and dashes mighty waves against the rocks which receive them, and renders the haven more dangerous than the country they had deserted. Now as those people of Joppa were floating about in this sea, in the morning there fell a violent wind upon them; it is called by those that sail there "the black north wind," and there dashed their ships one against another, and dashed some of them against the rocks, and carried many of them by force, while they strove against the opposite waves, into the main sea; for the shore was so rocky, and had so many of the enemy upon it, that they were afraid to come to land; nay, the waves rose so very high, that they drowned them; nor was there any place whither they could fly, nor any way to save themselves; while they were thrust out of the sea, by the violence of the wind, if they staid where they were, and out of the city by the violence of the Romans. And much lamentation there was when the ships were dashed against one another, and a terrible noise when they were broken to pieces; and some of the multitude that were in them were covered with waves, and so perished, and a great many were embarrassed with shipwrecks.

But some of them thought that to die by their own swords was lighter than by the sea, and so they killed themselves before they were drowned; although the greatest part of them were carried by the waves, and dashed to pieces against the abrupt parts of the rocks, insomuch that the sea was bloody a long way, and the maritime parts were full of dead bodies; for the Romans came upon those that were carried to the shore, and destroyed them; and the number of the bodies that were thus thrown out of the sea was four thousand and two hundred. The Romans also took the city without opposition, and utterly demolished it.   4. And thus was Joppa taken twice by the Romans in a little time; but Vespasian, in order to prevent these pirates from coming thither any more, erected a camp there, where the citadel of Joppa had been, and left a body of horse in it, with a few footmen, that these last might stay there and guard the camp, and the horsemen might spoil the country that lay round it, and might destroy the neighboring villages and smaller cities. So these troops overran the country, as they were ordered to do, and every day cut to pieces and laid desolate the whole region.

 

Old Testament Biblical References:

 

(a) Chronicles 2 2:16

 

"And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem".
 

(b) Ezra 3:7

 

"They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia".
 

(c) Jonah 1:3

 

"But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD".
 

New Testament Biblical References:

(a) Acts 9: 36-42

 

In this text - the resurrection of Tabitha (also named Dorcas ) by St. Peter in Joppa:

 

"Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.  And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.  And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

  Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.  And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.  And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner".

 

(b) Acts 10: 5-23

 

In this text Cornelius, a Centurion from Caesarea, is commanded to send his men to St. Peter who was staying at a house in Joppa.

 

 "And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.  On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:  And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.  But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.  While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.  Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.  Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him".

 

(c) Acts 11: 4-13

 

St. Peter reports to the church on the previous events:

 

   "But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,  I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:  Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.  And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.  But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.  But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.   And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.  And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.  And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:  And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;"

 

Etymology (behind the name):

 

• Yaffo (Joppa) - the name might originate from the Hebrew word Yaffe, which means 'pretty'

 

Links:

 

The Old Jaffa Development Corporation   Map of old Jaffa (in Hebrew & English)   Power Point shows:   Nice power points on Jaffa by Henya Melichson  (in Hebrew) :   Touring Jaffa: Part 1 and Part  2.   Explore the Ajami neighborhood   Old train station: Part 1 and Part 2.

 

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