See the First Photographs Ever Taken of Jerusalem

Smithsonian.com ^ | 1/23/14 | Rose Eveleth

[marshmallow]

Since 1844, millions of photographs have probably been taken of Jerusalem. But these blurry snaps are the very first.

Few places in the world are as revered, fought over and thought about as Jerusalem. For millenia, people have made pilgrimages here, often at great expense and great risk. So imagine for a second what it would be like to hear, from a young age, about this holy city, and then to see the first photographs ever taken of it:

These photos come from 1844 and were taken by French photographer Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey. According to Retronaut, they weren’t discovered until the 1920s, in a store room on Girault’s estate. Retronaut adds:

[GeronL]

fascinating

but that isn’t the only photo

[metmom]

That sure looks like the same shot.

Thanks.

[metmom]

That looks about right. Thanks.

[Boogieman]

On the drawing I posted, I just noticed there are 2 minarets/towers. One to the left, and one at the bottom. So maybe some pictures are catching different ones?

[Jet Jaguar]

For reference.

[Former Fetus]

Actually we are talking about 2 mosques, Al Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock, therefore there should be 2 minarets. Look at your drawing, the one at the bottom is too far to the right to show up in the 1844 picture.

Eleutheria, what do you think? You live in Israel and go to Jerusalem frequently. What do you think the old picture is showing? I'll take your word as the correct answer.

[onedoug]

I’d’ve made mention of Twain’s trip if you hadn’t.

Thanks.

[Faith65]

Great info- thanks

Bkmk

[wildbill]

At the time, the land was very underpopulated. As I recall, Twain made some comments in the book that were very critical of the Muslim inhabitants.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Jet Jaguar.

[bigheadfred]

those pics make the place look old

[madison10]

The old photograph and the new photograph definitely seem to be flipped. (mirror images of each other)

[P-Marlowe]

Here is the flipped version:

[P-Marlowe]

I Don’t believe the original is flipped. I think the Minaret in the picture is no longer there.

[Alas Babylon!]

Am I a racist hater to want that ugly desolation of a mosque torn down, and the Temple restored, as well as want the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople turned back into a Christian cathedral?

[madison10]

I wasn’t looking at the minaret, I was looking at the angle of the building edge on the Dome of the Rock.

[onyx]

Thank you so much.

[P-Marlowe]

I was looking at the Western Wall. If you flip the picture, the Mosque would be on the south side of the Western Wall, but it is on the north side.

[KC_Lion]

Amazing!

I pine to visit Jerusalem!

One Day I would Love to Live in Israel... :(

[onyx]

One day you likely shall!

One day, I would just love to visit Israel and pray at the Wailing Wall.