The Jerusalem YMCA is considered by many to be the most striking YMCA building in the world. It is also one of the best-designed buildings in Jerusalem from the British Mandate Period.

History of Jerusalem’s YMCA Building

The construction of the building began in 1928. Its architect was A.L. Harmon, who also designed the Empire State Building. Its grandeur and eclectic design dialogues well with Jerusalem’s rich history and sacred places. The YMCA is home to the “Three Arches Hotel”, and a restaurant. Its sports center includes an indoor pool and squash courts. In the summer, it operates joint camps for both Muslim, Christian, and Jewish children of Jerusalem.

Touring Jerusalem’s YMCA Building

The YMCA is prime in Jerusalem, along the King David streets, minutes away from the Old City. The YMCA, most notably the tower, offers panoramic vistas of the old and new city. Its front depicts the Samaritan Woman, Jesus, and the six-winged celestial figure described by the prophet Isaiah. The main entrance floor presents a copy of Jerusalem’s image from the Madaba Map, leading into an elegant reception hall and the hotel’s main desk. The building’s interior and exterior echo Muslim, Christian, and Jewish architecture, forming a feeling of harmony and peace.

A tour of the YMCA can be combined with a day tour of Jerusalem.