In the heart of Jerusalem stands an enchanting observatory tower in the shape of a cactus and made of wood. Located in the centre of the new part of the city, Ester Tower stands as a “magnificent artistic artefact” that pays tribute to the longstanding friendship between Israel and the Czech Republic.
Architect Martin Rajniš of Czech architecture firm Huť Architektury Martin Rajniš (HAMR) was engaged by Lukáš Přibyl, the head of the Czech Centre in Tel Aviv, and Francoise Cafri from the Jerusalem Municipality to design and build a tower in Jerusalem to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia, as well as the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel.
The tower would be located in the extensive gardens of the Hansen House, a historical building that served as a hospital for patients with leprosy in the 19th century, and currently houses a prominent art centre.
Rajniš explained his reasons for choosing the Sabra cactus as design inspiration for the Ester Tower.
“When a cactus blooms with a beautiful garland of flowers, in its resilient and prickly nature, it is a movingly beautiful plant. And I found it symbolic. This combination of tenderness and determination was, as I noticed, similar to the character of people I had encountered in Israel. And furthermore – what do we call Israelis born in this spectacular yet somewhat hostile land, who manage to turn deserts into blossoming gardens? Sabra.
Read the article in Architecture and Design.