July 14, 2008

Mark Twain Loafed Here

Mark Twain stayed at the Mediterranean Hotel in Jerusalem, arriving on the afternoon of September 23, 1876 and checking out for the last time on September 29. Concerning his first afternoon in Jerusalem, Twain noted, "Loafed all afternoon in the Mediterranean Hotel." But until recently, no one knew exactly where in Jerusalem this, at the time quite famous, hotel was. Now the mystery is solved. Researchers and archaeologists have identified the site of the old Mediterranean Hotel as that of the Wittenberg House in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. The Ateret Cohanim Yeshiva currently uses the Wittenberg House for classrooms. Haaretz has the story of the discovery. However, contrary to the Haaretz story, Twain spent a total of four nights at the Mediterranean, not just two. His party was there for two nights before leaving for Bethlehem and Jericho and another two nights after their return.

Via PaleoJudaica

Posted by Duane Smith at July 14, 2008 10:05 AM | Read more on Mark Twain |

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