The Tel Aviv City Hall is the headquarters of the city’s municipal government and has played witness to significant events in Israeli history. It contains administrative offices, ceremonial rooms and the mayor’s office. Visit the Tel Aviv City Hall to see memorials to the Holocaust and an assassinated prime minister. Watch the building become illuminated in colorful lights and attend concerts at the adjoining square.
Built in the mid 20th century to replace the Old City Hall on Bialik Square, the Brutalist-style Tel Aviv City Hall is one of the city’s most instantly recognizable buildings. An impressive 720 windows adorn both the north and south sides. During parliamentary elections in 2006, the south facade was turned into a giant television screen. Light displays regularly illuminate the façade to show the city’s solidarity with environmental issues and countries that have suffered troublesome events.
One of the most infamous occurrences at the city hall was the assassination of Primer Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. The Rabin Memorial, located on the pavement outside, commemorates this. It features 16 submerged basalt rocks positioned at various heights. These rocks symbolize Rabin’s connection with Israel and the national unrest following the shooting. Look for commemorative plaques and brass markers where the bullets landed.
Rabin Square, the city’s largest plaza, spreads out in front of the building. Originally called Kings of Israel Square, it took on its current name following the death of Rabin. At its northern end is an ornamental pond with water jets. At the opposite end is Yigal Tumarkin’s Holocaust and Revival monument, which evokes the image of a prison cell and resembles the Star of David when seen from above.
Concerts, demonstrations and political rallies take place regularly at Rabin Square. Most notable is the annual gathering to celebrate the life of Yitzhak Rabin. In 2018, around 25,000 people gathered to watch a victory performance by Israel’s Eurovision Song Contest champion.
Located in the City Center, Tel Aviv City Hall is easy to reach by public transportation. Bustling Rothschild Boulevard is a 15-minute walk to the south.
