The Tel Aviv Port, also known as the Namal Tel Aviv, has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century, and when looking under its boardwalk, even further back to the 8th century BCE. Located on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, the port has played a central role in the development and growth of the city of Tel Aviv.
The port was first opened in 1936 under the name "Sha'ar Zion" (Gate of Zion), following the riots of the Arab revolt of the same year as an alternative to the Jaffa Port that was closed to Jewish maritime traffic and trade. It was designed to serve as a landing for new immigrants, and later as a commercial hub for the region, importing and exporting goods to and from Palestine.
In the years following its founding, the Tel Aviv Port underwent several expansions and renovations. In the 1940s, the port was used by the British army to store and ship military supplies during World War II. In the 1950s and 1960s, the port was modernized and expanded to accommodate the growing number of ships and cargo coming in and out of the city.
In the 1980s, the Tel Aviv Port began to decline in importance as a commercial hub. Many shipping companies moved their operations to the nearby port of Ashdod, which was better equipped to handle large container ships. As a result, the Tel Aviv Port fell into disuse and became a rundown and abandoned area.
In the early 2000s, the Tel Aviv municipality launched a redevelopment project to revitalize the area, turning it into a hub of entertainment, tourism and local businesses including high tech companies like Wix.com, whose headquarters were at the Port until recently.
Today, the Tel Aviv Port is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, with a variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options, and is arguably Israel's second most visited tourist attraction, second only to the Kotel.
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