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Many European researchers and scholars made their way to Jerusalem in the 19th century, in an attempt to trace the city's past. Stephan Illes, a Hungarian bookbinder from Bratislava (now Slovakia), came as a pilgrim in 1864, but he was captivated by the city, and stayed. |
| The deep impression Jerusalem made on Illes prompted him, in 1872, to construct a 1:500 scale zinc model of the city of his day. The model covers an area of 18 m². |
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| The model was first exhibited in the Ottoman pavilion at the 1873 World's Fair in Vienna, and later in other European cities. In 1878 it was purchased by some private citizens of Geneva, and displayed in its Maison de la Reformation for the next 40 years. |
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| For 64 years more, the model lay forgotten in the attic of Geneva's Public and University Library, until its discovery in 1984 during comprehensive research project. The rediscovered model was brought to Jerusalem, restored, and is now on permanent loan to the Tower of David Museum. |
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