The White City
The White City refers to over 4,000 Bauhaus buildings that fill the streets of Tel Aviv. These buildings were constructed from the 1930s, during the city’s early period prior to the establishment of the State of Israel. Their style, unique to the Mediterranean, reflects the European education of their Jewish architects who immigrated to Israel during the first Aliyot (mass migrations to Israel). The Bauhaus style features white exteriors, glass and thick walls to keep the residents cool during the hot Middle Eastern summers and large balconies from which to enjoy the sea breeze.
In 2003, UNESCO named the White City a World Heritage Site which demonstrates "an outstanding example of new town planning and architecture in the early 20th century". The Tel Aviv Municipality offers many architectural tours to these buildings which coexist alongside more modern buildings in the center of Tel Aviv. Various exhibitions about the White City have travelled the globe, most notably “Dwelling on Dunes” which began its world tour at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
A Bauhaus Center is located near Dizengoff Square, providing background information about the city’s unique architecture. Recently, a Bauhaus Museum opened in an original Bauhaus style building, describing the history of the White City, its architecture and the European born architects.