The Stone Houses of Palestine: A Guide to Historic Architecture
Look at photos of an old Palestinian village and the first thing you notice is the stone. Local limestone, often honey or cream colored, was used for homes, markets and places of worship, and many of these buildings are centuries old.
Home under a vault
A classic village house was one large room covered by a stone vault. Families lived on a raised level while animals and harvests were kept below. Thick walls meant the house stayed cool in summer and held warmth in winter.
Cross vaults and arches
Because wood was scarce, builders used cross vaults, formed by two intersecting barrel vaults, to cover wide spaces with stone alone. They are everywhere in the old markets of Nablus, Hebron and Jerusalem.
Throne villages
In the 18th and 19th centuries, local ruling families built fortified mansions in hilltop throne villages such as Arrabeh and Deir Ghassaneh, with grand gates and courtyards.
Preserving the past
Riwaq, founded in Ramallah in 1991, has documented around 50,000 historic buildings and turned many restored ones into community spaces. Its work in the old center of Birzeit won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2013.
Our Palestine Wall design, a street-art image of a child in front of a damaged wall, is a reminder of what is at stake when old buildings disappear.
FAQ
+Why are Palestinian old towns golden?
They are built from local limestone, which ranges from cream to honey in color.
+What is a cross vault?
A stone roof made by two intersecting barrel vaults, used to cover large rooms without timber.
+How many historic buildings has Riwaq recorded?
Around 50,000 across the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza.
+Can you visit restored Palestinian buildings?
Yes. Many restored buildings now serve as community centers, guesthouses and cafés, for example in Birzeit.
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