| In the 19th century the
number of pilgrims, tourists and researchers visiting
the Holy Land increased significantly. Among the visitors
were emperors, kings, queens, princes, and duchesses.
In 1898, German Emperor Wilhelm II and his wife Augusta
Viktoria visited Jerusalem. Their tour of Jerusalem,
lasting six days, was an extravagant to-do, and a defining
event in the development of the city. In honor of his
arrival the city undertook various improvements, including
paving streets, cleaning, and adding street lights.
The dedication of the German-Lutheran Church of the
Redeemer took place during his visit, as well as laying
the cornerstone for the Dormition Church on Mount Zion.
His visit however, also had a political side. During
his visit the Emperor met with the Sultan in Istanbul,
in order to strengthen ties between Germany and the
Ottoman Empire
After a long journey from Germany, the emperor and
his entourage, consisting of over 200 people, reached
the port of Haifa on October 25th. They were greeted
by celebrations in Haifa, and then the entourage moved
on to Jaffa, where they stayed the night, and then
made their way to Jerusalem. The emperor’s entourage
reached Jerusalem on the 29th of October. The emperor
rode into the Old City on a white horse accompanied
by the empress in the carriage. They entered the Old
City through an opening that was made especially for
the occasion, to the sounds of 21 cannons, and the
Turkish orchestra playing the German anthem.
The emperor’s camp was set up outside of the
Old City walls, where Ha-Nevi’im Street is located
today. The encampment consisted of four elaborate
green parlor tents that were sent by the Sultan, two
special rooms that were sent from Germany for the
emperor and his wife, 75 sleeping tents, and six kitchen
tents.
During their six days in Jerusalem the couple visited
the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, different sites
around the city, and Bethlehem. The climactic point
of the visit was the inauguration of the Church of
the Redeemer, which took place amidst a festive ceremony.
During the visit they also laid the cornerstone for
the Viktoria Augusta hospital, which still stands
today.
The royal couple departed Jerusalem on November 4th.
The visit was significant because it strengthened
the ties between the German and Ottoman empires, which
culminated in their joint efforts during WWI. In addition,
during the visit, an organization called the American
Colonial Society, shot hundreds of photographs documenting
the event. Biblical Productions is currently initiating
a film on the subject. |
