The neighborhood of Ir Ganim - Lavan Valley

visit Ir Ganim web site

    The Lavan Valley is situated to the north of Nahal Refaim in the western part of Jerusalem, between the neighborhoods Ir Ganim and Giv'at Masua to the east and Moshav Ora to the west. The valley contains the riverhead of Nahal Sifan ;the Second Temple period site of Ha-Rogem, close to the community center; agricultural structures such as olive presses, water cisterns and watch towers; agricultural terraces which are among the finest in the Judean hills; and the ruins of an ancient settlement near the Ein Lavan Spring.

    This region, which formerly constituted the agricultural hinterland of ancient Jerusalem, is now adjacent to the urban area of Jerusalem and is therefore endangered by the plans to expand the city westward. As part of the plan for western Jerusalem (the Safdi Plan), dense building is proposed for the entire northern shore of the Refaim Stream. In addition, for the Lavan Valley and its slopes there is a plan to build a road along the Refaim Stream, connecting the Ora junction with Road No. 39.