The cornerstone for the Jerusalem YMCA was laid in 1928 by Lord Plumer, the British High Commissioner for Palestine, on a plot of land in the West Nikephoria section of Jerusalem purchased from the Greek Orthodox Church Patriarchate. When the building opened on April 18, 1933, the event was attended by YMCA leaders from around the world. Every detail of the building, with its elegant arches, domes and tower, was described in the world press, which hailed it as a wellspring of cultural, athletic, social and intellectual life. Until 1991, the YMCA stadium was the only soccer stadium in Jerusalem. The building, still standing today, was designed by noted American architect Arthur Loomis Harmon of Shreve, Lamb and Harmon. They was the architectural firm best known for the 1931 Empire State Building, the tallest building in the world at that time.
The stadium was razed by developers to make way for a luxury housing project known as King David's Court.
Read more (Wikipedia)
The Jerusalem International YMCA building, with its elegant arches, domes and 46 meter (152 ft) observation tower, is a historical landmark that serves as a center of cultural, athletic, social and intellectual life in Jerusalem.
Three inscriptions - Jewish, Christian and Muslim - are engraved on the building facade: "The Lord our God the Lord is One" in Hebrew, "I am the Way" in Aramaic and "There is no God but God" in Arabic.
This recurring theme of spiritual unity resonates throughout the building and surrounding gardens, its thematic and decorative elements echoing the essential oneness of three great monotheistic faiths.
A dozen stately cypress trees lining the entrance to the building, for example, signify the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve disciples of Jesus, the twelve followers of Mohammed.
So, too, the people of all ages, faiths and ethnicities who enjoy, work and participate in the programs of the Jerusalem International YMCA embody a spirit of unity in diversity among the Holy City's population.
or its efforts in promoting peace, understanding and the dignity of humankind, the Jerusalem International YMCA was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
More about Jerusalem International YMCA
The cache:
The cache container is NOT at the listed coordinates!
The given coordinates lead you before YMCA building.
Follow the directions on the cache page to make the letterbox find:
1. Go up (or down) to the tower and count the steps (A) from the entrance level to observation tower. This tower is a bell tower also, so please count the number of bells (B) also. [Hint: crossfoot of A + 1 = crossfoot of B = C.] The tower is open for visitors everyday from 8:00 until 20:00, entrance fee is 10 NIS per person. You can't visit alone so take with you somebody or wait for other person (cacher) or group.
2. Enjoy this view from the observation tower!!!
3. Go back to the listed coordinates and calculate the cache place!
- Bearing (in degree): 2A - 3B - C (true north in Jerusalem about 3.5° to East)
- Distance: ( A + B + C ) / 2 meters
4. Find the cache. Sign-in log is in container along with the letterbox stamp. Sign one or sign both, but leave your mark. Bring your own ink pad! This may be done as a regular geocache.
LEAVE THE STAMP IN THE CONTAINER--IT IS NOT A TRADE ITEM!
I hope you build your body, mind and spirit with this cache!
