Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem and Kaiser Wilhelm’s visit

© Goethe-Institut

The German presence in Palestine during the time of the German Empire is often forgotten, although traces from this era are deeply entrenched. One of the most volatile episodes in this context is Wilhelm II’s pilgrimage in 1898. The official occasion was the consecration of the Protestant Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem. Alongside the foreign minister the imperial party also included a throng of 200 official guests, as well as 279 unofficial participants who took part at their own expense.

© Goethe-Institut

This illustrious travelling party reached the Holy City on 29th October 1898, where they had been frantically preparing for the visit. Legends are mainly centred around the widening of the Jaffa Gate. According to that version of events, a gap was opened up in the city wall especially for the imperial procession. Other sources claim that only a moat was filled in.