Augusta Victoria

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Augusta Victoria is the common name for a prominent hospital, church, and tower in Jerusalem, between the Mount of Olives and Mount Scopus. It constitutes one of the three landmark towers that mark the ridge denoting the eastern boundary of Jerusalem.

The complex is named for Augusta Viktoria of Schleswig-Holstein, the wife of German Kaiser Wilhelm II, who visited Jerusalem in 1898. The structure, which was completed in 1910, was built by German Protestants as a hostel for pilgrims visiting the Holy Land. From 1920 to 1927, it served as the official residence of the British High Commissioner for Palestine, until that was moved to Armon HaNetziv. Under Jordanian rule, it was a military hospital for soldiers from the Arab Legion. It now serves as a hospital for the Arab residents of East Jerusalem. The grounds also house a guest house for the Lutheran World Federation, accomodating international volunteers and guests to the region.

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