Did you know that Hadar HaCarmel means Splendor of the Carmel? We are standing in Haifa’s Hadar District. This is a place rich in history and culture.
Hadar HaCarmel was founded before World War I. It became a central residential area in 1922. The neighborhood grew and included areas between Carmel and Downtown. Hadar once housed commercial centers and government offices. Courthouses and museums were also here.
By 1944, most of Haifa’s Jewish residents lived here. Many Holocaust survivors settled in Hadar. New immigrants from the former Soviet Union arrived in the early 1990s.
The Technion was once located in Hadar. It moved to Kiryat HaTechnion in the late 1970s. The old Technion building is now a science museum. It is called the Israel National Museum of Science, Technology, and Space.
The Carmelit subway runs through Hadar HaCarmel. Three of its six stations are in this district. The neighborhood features many Bauhaus buildings. These were designed by German-Jewish architects who fled the Nazis.
Hadar HaCarmel is home to roughly 37,200 residents. That’s about 14% of Haifa’s population. The district is divided into four sub-districts. These are Hadar West, Hadar East, Central Hadar, and Upper Hadar.
Hadar West has a large Arab population. Wealthy Christian Arabs live in the Abbas neighborhood. The Shrine of the Báb is located here. Many Baháʼís from around the world reside nearby.
Central Hadar has architectural and historical landmarks. These include Haifa Theater and Madatech. Talpiot Market is also in Central Hadar. Today, it is largely a Russian-speaking neighborhood. Central Hadar also has a significant Arab population.
Haifa Municipal Theatre has been here since 1961. It is one of the country’s leading theaters. The theater presents plays on social issues. It encourages co-existence among religions and communities. The theater also hosts the International Festival for Children’s Theatre.
Herzel Street is a key commercial area in Hadar. Some of the city’s oldest cafes are located here. The municipality has been working to revive these streets. They host street parties and events in Binyamin Garden.
Bnai Zion Hospital is located in Hadar. It is also called Rothschild Hospital.
Hadar HaCarmel has a fascinating mix of architectural styles. The neighborhood was designed as a garden city. Its scenic aspect comes from the slope of Mount Carmel.
Take a moment to imagine Hadar’s high society. Picture them sitting in lively cafes up until the 1960s. Hadar HaCarmel continues to evolve. It blends history with modern life.