Some Jerusalemites love it; others regard it as an outrageous eyesore. But there is no way you can remain oblivious to the massive edifice stretching across the western entrance to the city. The Chords Bridge accommodates one of the lines of Jerusalem’s light-rail project, has been the source of much controversy.
Many hailed the chance to bring world-renowned Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava on board to create one of his iconic, ultra-modernist designs in the capital. At the same time, detractors of the project claimed that the monolithic structure simply did not fit in with its surroundings and was too conspicuous among Jerusalem’s older, smaller buildings. And indeed, the Chords Bridge is the tallest structure in Jerusalem, clearly visible from many parts of the capital. The suspension bridge consists of a 119-meter high angled central mast and a series of cables holding up the central section of a 360-meter long bridge.
Look for it as you’re coming in from Tel Aviv.
