Wohl Rose Park | Jerusalem

Wohl Rose Park is a 19-acre public garden located in the Givat Ram government precinct of Jerusalem. It serves as the largest rose garden in Israel and contains over 15,000 rose bushes representing more than 400 distinct varieties.

Visual Characteristics

The park is designed with vast open lawns, terraced flower beds, and winding stone paths. It features a large ornamental pond with aquatic plants and a wooden bridge, as well as several stone pergolas and shaded benches. The vegetation is dominated by diverse rose species ranging from miniature shrubs to climbing varieties, interspersed with mature Mediterranean trees like pine and cypress.

Location & Access Logistics

The garden is situated on Rothschild Street, directly between The Knesset and the Supreme Court buildings. It is accessible via the L1 Red Line light rail (City Hall stop) followed by a 10-minute walk, or by bus lines 7, 14, 35, and 66 which stop at the nearby government complex. Paid public parking is available at the National Library lot or along the adjacent streets in the Kiryat Ben-Gurion area.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Established in 1981, the park was designed by landscape architect Joseph Segal and funded by the Wohl Foundation. It was created on a limestone ridge that originally served as a formal landing site for visiting dignitaries. The garden is divided into geographical sections, showcasing rose varieties from different climates and continents, all adapted to the semi-arid conditions of the Judean Hills.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can explore specialized sections such as the "Garden of Nations," where different countries have donated indigenous rose species. Specific activities include walking the circular perimeter trail and visiting the experimental section where new hybrids are tested for local resilience. The park is a frequent site for official state ceremonies and wedding photography.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The park features paved, accessible walkways and numerous wooden gazebos for shade. Public restrooms are located near the main entrance on the northern side. 5G cellular coverage is consistent throughout the grounds. While there are no food vendors inside the park, several cafeterias and kiosks are located within a 300-meter radius in the surrounding government buildings.

Best Time to Visit

The optimal period for visiting is during the peak blooming seasons in late spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November). For photography, the early morning provides the best natural lighting and the lowest wind speeds for capturing macro floral shots. The park is open 24 hours a day, and entry is free to the public.

Facts & Legends

A unique feature of the park is the "Blind Garden," which focuses on roses with particularly strong scents and varied textures to provide a sensory experience for the visually impaired. A local historical oddity is that the garden occupies the site where the helicopter carrying Egyptian President Anwar Sadat landed during his historic 1977 visit to Jerusalem.

Nearby Landmarks

The Knesset – 0.2km South

The Supreme Court – 0.3km North

Israel Museum – 0.7km South

National Library of Israel – 0.5km West

International Convention Center – 0.9km Northwest