HERMIT HOUSE

''Hermit House'' is an inhabited sandcastle in Herzliya, Israel, situated off the edge of cliff near the Sidna-'Ali Mosque on Nof Yam Beach. Its owner, designer and sole creator, Nissim Cachlon has been building the structure by hand since the late 1970s, tunneling deep into the cliff side and using natural sea materials. The structure includes dozens of chambers covered in elaborate tile mosaics comprised of recycled materials such as blue glass from broken Maccabee beer bottles, plates, and other debris washed ashore. Israeli authorities have so far been unable to oust the code non-compliant resident. Hermit House is a spectacular though unconventional example of vernacular architecture in a similar vein of the Watts Towers. Rising sea levels due in part to the recent construction by the city of a jetty now pose a threat to Cachlon's several decades long work. Hermit House's exterior is publicly visibale and requests for interior tours are occasionally honored by its owner.

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References

Let's Go Israel 2005
Wikitravel
http://wikitravel.org/en/Herzliya