Photographs capturing historic moments in the life of Israel’s capital were released in full colour for Jerusalem Day.
The images from the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) photo archive were taken between 1924 and 1951, each carefully restored and colourised based on in-depth historical research.
The work was led by Jerusalem researcher Tamar Hayardeni, who specialises in bringing archival photographs to life.
Patrol in the Divided City: IDF soldiers march along the snow-covered municipal border, with the Old City walls looming in the background. Jerusalem, 1950.
Colourisation: Tamar Hayardeni
Each image underwent a meticulous process of visual analysis and historical investigation to ensure the most authentic and lifelike result possible.
The project includes a selection of striking moments from Jerusalem’s modern history, including IDF soldiers marching in patrol in snow covered Jerusalem, with the Old City walls looming in the background; a glimpse into the early construction of “Kiryat HaYovel” neighbourhood, named in honor of KKL’s 50th anniversary; female soldiers marching down King George Street during a military parade marking Israel’s third Independence Day and the National Library on Mount Scopus in 1945.
