In the central part of the West Bank, a 45-minute drive north of Jerusalem, the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority (pop. 48,000 in the city itself, more than 360,000 in the greater metro area) is fairly “new” by the standards of Palestine, founded in the 16th century by a clan of Arab Christians, though there are also buildings here from the period of the medieval Crusades as well as remnants from the biblical period of Herod the Great and even nearby rock-cut cave tombs from the much earlier Canaanite era, around 3100–2900 BCE. Today it showcases modern Palestinian culture and society, as well as a dollop of history, with Al-Manara Square its bustling central hub, framed by lion statues, and filled with shops and cafés. Highlights include the Yasir Arafat Museum and Mausoleum, chronicling the life of the iconic Palestinian leader as well as the broader history of the Palestinian struggle (including his office and living quarters); the Ottoman-era Clock Tower; a small set of Roman ruins; the Dar Zahran Heritage Building, a restored 19th-century home showcasing traditional Palestinian architecture, art exhibits, and cultural events (you can also buy local handicrafts here); the Al-Ma’mal Foundation for Contemporary Art; the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center; and the Ramallah Cultural Palace with its concerts and other performances.
In addition, the narrow streets and lanes of the old quarter are lined with beautifully preserved Ottoman-era houses, with intricate stonework, arched windows, and traditional Palestinian designs, as well as ancient churches and mosques and of course the traditional souk (market). There are also plenty of galleries, restaurants serving both traditional and modern fusion cuisine, and even bars (remember, Ramallah was founded by Christians and they´re still an important force in the city today). Finally, outside the city, nearby Birzeit and Taybeh offer historic churches and mosques, olive groves, a taste of traditional Palestinian life (in Birzeit you´ll find the striking modern Palestinian Museum, with rotating exhibits on Palestinian history, culture, and contemporary issues, as well as landscaped grounds with beautiful views of the surrounding hills, and Taybeh is home to Palestine’s first beer brewery, founded in 1994). Then of course there´s the aforementioned rock cut tombs; Khirbet al-Tirah is an archaeological site features not just the tombs but also two Byzantine-era churches from the 5th century, with visible mosaic floors and the remains of stone columns.
Read more in my post The Top 10 Musts in the West Bank of Palestine - Plus 1 More.
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