Billy Rose Sculptural Art Garden

The Sculpture Garden, or Garden of Arts, is one of the most interesting open-air exhibition areas of the Jerusalem Museum of Israel. The sculpture garden was founded by American collector Billy Rose and named in his honor. The project and design of the Garden belongs to the American sculptor and landscape architect of Japanese origin Isam Noguchi.

The Sculpture Garden is located on the western slope of the museum territory. It is divided into wide terraces with smooth transitions, curved in the form of a crescent, and surrounded by a wall of rough slabs. Rocky, smooth or gravel-sprinkled platforms and paths characteristic of the Japanese Zen garden alternate with islands of vegetation, all of which are of local origin. Here grow palm trees, olive and fig trees, rosy rose bushes, and in spring in the pool of the sculptural fountain bloom water lilies.

The sculptural collection of the Garden includes works by the great sculptors of the late 19th century (Auguste Rodin, Emil-Antoine Bourdel and Aristide Mayol) and famous artists of the 20th century (such as Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Claes Oldenburg). The works of Israeli artists are also presented here.

Now the Garden of Arts is a favorite place for a variety of public and private celebrations, festivals, fairs and museum programs. Music concerts and bright shows are regularly held here. Amazingly beautiful and spectacular night lighting of the Garden, giving the sculptures of the garden a special mystery and charm. The terraces of the garden offer an amazing view of the panorama of the Old City, with its synagogues, mosques and temples of the Old City, the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion, and the brightly lit residential areas of modern buildings.