of all faiths fill the church once a week for mass. Miracles are claimed as in the healing of some illnesses by using holy oil brought exclusively from the Saint Charbel Church in Lebanon. In the Holy Land, the Maronites live side by side with the other Chris- tian communities, celebrat- ing both their own feasts and those that they share with the Roman Catholic Church.

All week 7:30 - 18:00.

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 66-67 8/13/20 10:14 AM 1 2 Beit Jala Bethlehem Holy family University Hospital 3

Jerusalem Hebron St. Catholic action 4 square

5 David Wells

8 6

Star Street 7

Manger St.

Pope Paul VI St.

9

Salesian Street 15 11 Bus 10 Madbase square Station

Star Street

17 Quos Beit 12 Zarara Sahour Dar 16 20 Annadwa 19 Beit Sahour St. Manger St. Fawaghre St. 14 18 Paul VI St. 13

22 Peace Star Street 21 Center Market Najajre St. Manger 24 Nativity Muni- Square Church Convent of Carmelite cipality Sisters in Bethlehem 23

Milk Grotto St.

25 Milk Grotto Church 27 26 0 25 50 100 150 Ki 28

Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 68-69 8/13/20 10:14 AM The character of the his- the St. Vincent , and white carved stones; toric center of Bethlehem which was built as part of its main entrance sits on is evident in its historical the Holy Family Hospital an elevation facing Jeru- monuments and buildings, complex. salem. Hirmas Mansion is the churches and mosques, now home to the science public ovens, and crafts and 1. Bethlehem University and education faculties of trades. Residents have pre- Bethlehem University was Bethlehem University. served the heritage of their established by the Chris- ancestors; the influence of De La Salle Building inside Bethlehem tian De La Salle Brothers University Campus religion on daily lives is vis- www.bethlehem.edu, in 1973, with support from 02-274 1241. Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00. ible in the ornamentation the Vatican following a pro- on external doors or in the posal made during the visit icons that adorn houses of Pope Paul VI to Bethle- and workplaces. hem in 1964. A school since 2. Hirmas Mansion This cultural route guides 1909, it was the first regis- you through the city market tered university in the West Mitri, Saleh and Jeries areas, cultural associations Bank and today teaches six Hirmas, who emigrated to and schools, and past man- specialties: Education, Ho- Chile, erected the building sion houses of architectural tel Management and Tour- in 1910 in the hope that splendor. ism, Arts, Science, Nursing, they would one day return Hirmas Mansion inside Bethlehem Univer- and Business. Turathuna, to live in Bethlehem. The sity Campus · The route includes stairs and is the Palestinian Cultural family never came back to not accessible by people with Heritage Center, is housed disabilities. live the mansion and since in the university and opened The second half of the 19th then, the building has been century brought socio-eco- a library in 1990 for rare used for various purposes: It is best to start early in the nomic development thanks to books, manuscripts, and as a private residence, a re- the openness of the Ottoman morning (9 a.m.) on week- old newspapers and maga- form school for boys, and a state to the Western world. days if you want to visit any zines on Palestinian heri- school for the blind. Trade relations were initiated of the associations. Begin tage and identity. and foreigners or foreign insti- at Bethlehem University to Set on the slope of a hill, the tutions gained more privileges visit the historic De La Salle mansion was designed by and the right to own land in school building and Hirmas the first Bethlehem archi- Palestine. Local craftsmen participated in world trade ex- Mansion. From the main www.bethlehem.edu, 0 2-274 tect, Morcous Nassar, and 1241. Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00. (To enter hibitions and established links gate of Bethlehem Univer- the university, you need to fill in a form constructed from a combi- all over the globe. sity, walk up the incline to available on the university website.) nation of geometrical red

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 70-71 8/13/20 10:14 AM 3. Holy Family Hospital quiet alley leading to the with floral elements was Madbaseh Commercial made at the Salesian Con- Set on the western slope Zone. Don’t miss two his- vent workshops. The status of a hill overlooking the toric mansions: Saleh Gi- of the family is reflected city of Beit Jala, the hos- acaman Mansion and Han- in the indoor marble stone pital was inaugurated in dal Villa. At Handal Villa, tiles imported from Italy. 1885 as a general hospital look right towards Cinema and an orphanage with a Square. Madbaseh Com- capacity of 80 beds. The mercial Street is lined with Community of the Daugh- attractive mansion houses ters of Charity of St. Vin- with a variety of archi- cent de Paul operates a tectural details and stone complex that comprises an carvings. orphanage, a guest house, and a specialized mater- nity hospital with around 4. Hanna Ja’ar Mansion 3,200 deliveries a year. Holy Family Hospital The original construction The two-floor mansion was built of white Bethle- Turn left towards Cin- was built in the 1930s by hem limestone surround- ema Square and continue Hanna Khalil Ja’ar, a cloth ing a courtyard, with a straight until you find the merchant who returned church as a focal land- beautiful two-story Hanna from the Dominican Re- mark, accessed through Ja’ar Mansion fronted by public. Ja’ar Mansion was two beautifully integrated a garden with a decorated built of the best local, red Hanna Ja’ar Mansion staircases. gate and a garden fence sleib stones enclosed with of stones and steel. Con- a frame of engraved open- tinue straight and on your ings. Designed by Morcous www.holyfamilyhospital-beth- left is the Bethlehem Arab Nassar, the house displays lehem.org, 02-2741151. 5. Bethlehem Arab Wom- Women’s Union Center; many fine details such as a en’s Union Center this is the first women’s riwaq balcony on the first association established in floor, and a garden fence Established in 1947, the Bethlehem to aid refugees built of the same stone. En- Bethlehem Arab Women’s settled in the city during joy the sight from street lev- Union served as a first aid conflicts and the 1948 Na- el over the main gate. The center to care for refugees kba. Continue straight to a steel handrail ornamented from the first Arab-Israeli

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 72-73 8/13/20 10:14 AM war. The Union works to 6. Saleh Giacaman 7. Handal Villa Red Sleib Stone meet the needs of Bethle- Mansion hem residents of all ages, This is hard limestone with a Commissioned in the early th organizes luncheons for light rosy red color combined 20 century by the Han- senior citizens, and en- with shades of yellow. Con- dal family, this house has courages income-gener- structions built with the red a Baroque style influenced ation projects for women sleib stones attracted more by European architectural attention and admiration through food and craft pro- elements. The building has when located among tradi- strong symmetry and is a duction. It also runs the tional white stone buildings. Arab Women’s Union muse- Red sleib stones are difficult unique site standing on the um in Bethlehem’s old city to carve, which explains the main elevation overlooking and part of the Bethlehem use of local white stone for Paul VI Street. The building on the - openings, frames and cor- was renovated to become a Hebron road. Today, the nices. The red stone used shopping center, but its key in the Bethlehem area was elements of beauty were Union employs more than originally quarried from the 150 women from nearby Jerusalem hills, specifically preserved. Don’t miss the villages and refugee camps the areas of Baka, Katamon rear corner of the build- in Palestinian embroidery (Jerusalem) and Sleib (Beit ing at ground level, which Saleh Giacaman Mansion and a bakery. Tip: Get a Jala). is ornamented with carved freshly baked pastry at the Constructed out of red stone edging up to the first kitchen door! sleib stone, this three-sto- floor. ry house was designed by Morcous Nassar in 1924 www.bethawu.org, for Saleh Jeries Giacaman, 02-274 2453. Mon-Sat 8:00-16:00. the mayor of Bethlehem from 1917 to 1921. The main gate to the building is decorated with a stone sill engraved with a poem, the name of the owner, and the year of construction. No- tice the letters “SG” weld- ed onto the main metal gate decorated with floral Bethlehem Arab Women’s Union Center motifs. Handal Villa

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 74-75 8/13/20 10:14 AM 8. Cinema Square 9. Madbaseh Commercial ditional Arab liwan layout Zone – Paul VI. Street of an all-important central The Amal Cinema and Beth- room that gives access to lehem Cinema were once Lined with Palestinian fast other minor rooms. city landmarks, both con- food and ca- structed during the mid- fes, colorful vendors, and The red house is framed 20th century to offer en- a wide selection of shops, and decorated with carved local white stone at the tertainment to Bethlehem this pedestrian walkway Madbaseh Commercial Zone residents and the surround- is a favorite hangout for edges, openings, floor cor- nice, and columns. Ja’ar ing towns. These cinemas visitors looking to immerse If you have enough time, were packed at weekends themselves in the hustle Mansion was one of the leave the trail and turn first first houses to use concrete and attracted other lei- and bustle of Bethlehem right just before reaching sure attractions, becoming daily life. The street pro- for decoration in the form Madbaseh Square oppo- of two columns with plant an area where the upper vides another entrance to site the Lutheran Church. classes spent their spare Bethlehem’s historic cen- containers that define the Walk for 300 meters along external entrance. Karimeh time in the 1940s to 1960s. ter, the main commercial Qita Street until you reach a The location has kept its zone, and transportation Abbud, the first female Pal- magnificent mansion house estinian photographer, lived name of Cinema Square stations to surrounding vil- built of red stone on the even though the cinemas lages. On Saturdays farm- and founded her studio in right-hand corner: Anton this building. are no longer open. ers sell their fresh goods Ja’ar Mansion. here; there are few remind- ers of how this street once housed high-class clothes shops, an ice-cream parlor, 10. Anton Ja’ar Mansion two cinemas, and the Beth- This mansion was con- lehem club. These were structed in 1914 by Anton the public areas where Ja’ar but was never com- socio-cultural activities pleted. It has been inhabit- took place in the 1940s to ed by different families and 1960s, and where the mid- also served as the court dle classes (who started house after the Assaraya Al-Amal Cinema 1950s to emerge towards the end building was destroyed by of Ottoman rule) enjoyed fire in 1939. Designed by shopping. Morcous Nassar, the build- ing was based on the tra- Anton Ja’ar Mansion

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 76-77 8/13/20 10:14 AM Karimeh Abbud 11. Madbaseh Square ceptionally tasty served with tahina (sesame seed sauce) The first female photographer The name of this lively and bread. in Palestine and throughout shopping area comes from the Middle East, Karimeh was the grape pressing that born in Bethlehem in 1893 as used to take place at this 12. Dar Annadwa – Inter- the daughter of the Lutheran location during September pastor, Said Abbud. In the to produce wine, malban national Center of Bethle- early 1920s, Karimeh started Madbaseh Square (a seasonal sweet dish), hem her profession as a national On Madbaseh Square, take photographer moving between and dibis (grape molas- Dar Annadwa was es- four studios in Bethlehem, Je- ses). The Square connects the alley to the left: Paul VI. Street to arrive at Dar tablished in 1995 in the rusalem, , and Haifa. the Nativity Church with subterranean crypt of Karimeh left a treasure of the main road leading to Annadwa - International unique photos depicting major Center of Bethlehem on the Evangelical Lutheran Hebron and Jerusalem Christmas Church as a cen- shrines, sites, and landscapes. and the St. Joseph Hospi- your right. Continue walk- Her legacy was primarily in her ing straight down Paul VI. ter for youth and women, family portraits documenting tal, thereby making it sig- as well as a center for in- middle-class life in Palestine nificant commercially for Street before turning left down the stairs that cross tercultural and ecumeni- prior to the 1948 Nakbah. trade and commerce dur- cal encounters. Two years Karimeh died in 1940 and was th Qos Al-Abed. On your left ing the 19 century. In the later, in preparation for buried at the Lutheran cem- is the Salesian Convent, center of the Square, the the Bethlehem millennium etery of Bethlehem (Bethle- Cologne Cathedral Stone church and museum, which hemites in Jerusalem Route). you can visit by prior ar- celebrations, the Ministry was sent as a gift and of Foreign Affairs of Fin- first installed in 1999; it rangement. Turn right to pass through Hosh Kattan, land responded positively was destroyed during the to Dar Annadwa’s proposal siege that took place in the which is lined on both sides with mansion houses and to transform the old Lu- second Intifada (Spring theran school compound 2002). The square now en- villas belonging to the Kat- tan family. into a cultural and confer- closes a skillfully carved ence center. The Finnish black stone installed in Dibis (Grape Molasses) Foreign Ministry invited 2010 and surrounded with several leading Finnish ar- greenery and iron hand- The concentrated sweet syrup chitects to submit plans rails. is made of grape juice cooked and ultimately contracted for many hours over a high Juha Leiviskä. The design heat. Dibis is a staple winter treat for and is ex- is unique and is based on Karimeh Abbud the agricultural terraces of

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 78-79 8/13/20 10:14 AM Bethlehem, the cubic form 13. Paul VI. Street of its houses, local stone, and a blend of modernity The name of Paul VI. Street within old structures, all was changed from Hreizat combined with a Scandina- Street for the visit of Pope vian touch of splendid natu- Paul VI. to the Holy Land in ral light and green spaces. 1964. It stretches from the border of Bethlehem in the The cultural and confer- west perpendicular to the ence center has become the Jerusalem–Hebron road to cultural hub of Bethlehem Manger Square. The street with regular film screen- was extended, broadened, ings, theater performances, and renovated after several concerts, and conferences. missions constructed their The lobby of the center is institutions along it. used as an art gallery where people can relax over a cup of coffee or beer. The Kahf gift shop offers innovative crafts and gifts made by Bethlehem artisans. The subterranean caves reveal a fascinating glimpse of what lies beneath most of the

city’s old houses. Paul VI. Street www.diyar.ps, 02-2770047. Dar Annadwa

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 80-81 8/13/20 10:14 AM 14. Qos Al-Abed practice his ‘calling’ to work for orphans. Orphans came from all over Palestine and were taught the art of carv- ing olive wood and mother of pearl; modern European furniture-making; tailor- ing European clothes; and shoe-making. In 1877 the residents of Bethlehem Qos Al-Abed asked the priest to accept their children at the school for an annual fee. Father The word abed (servants in Antonio Belloni later invit- Arabic) is usually associ- ed the Salesians and they ated with Arabic-speaking joined in 1891. Today the Salesian Complex and Museum people originating from Af- complex contains a tech- rica. A half cross vault cov- by Salesian school stu- surrounding churches nical school, youth center, ering a narrow alley with a dents, until members of and convents of differ- carpentry workshop, tailor- staircase was called after the Tarajmeh and Farahiyeh ent denominations create ing, and facilities for baking the servants who used to families learned the profes- a unique atmosphere. The bread or other productive live in the area. The stair- sion and opened workshops Kattan family are believed activities. case connects several con- and shops overlooking Star to have come from Lebanon vents and churches and Street. and worked as cotton mer- was a short cut around the Gacaman (2000) states chants, thus their name, Salesian compound. that the art of olive wood www.salesianbethlehem.com, travelling between the Mid- and mother of pearl carv- 0 2-2742421 / 2747161. dle East, Europe and Africa. ing was first taught by the Salesian Fathers, who On your right, you will see a 15. Salesian Complex and later opened the first sou- huge Kattan mansion built venir shop in front of their in 1736 with additions con- Museum th church and built the long 16. Hosh Kattan structed until the 20 cen- The Bethlehem Silesian Salesian staircase to make tury. The hosh was divided orphanage was first estab- the shop accessible to pil- This is a square lined with into different apartments lished in 1864 by Father grims. The first mansions and villas built to accommodate extend- Antonio Belloni to put into shop sold products carved by the Kattan family. The ed family members. Don’t

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 82-83 8/13/20 10:14 AM miss the prominent triangle 17. Sama’n Mansion magazines and newspa- 19. Hosh Hanania - Holy on top of the mashrabya pers by Issa Basil Bandak Land Trust window above the entrance (Cultural Route). Paintings to the Issa Kattan house to drawn by Jabra Ibrahim Hosh Hanania was built your left. Jabra (Heritage Route) next to the gate and clings were found in this house, to the steeply sloped hill which was the last place with access from different Jabra lived before he emi- levels. The hosh was reno- grated to Baghdad, Iraq. vated and rebuilt in 2012 to host a peace organization, the Holy Land Trust, after the building collapsed com- 18. Qos Al-Zarara pletely in 2000. The Hosh has a hanging staircase Qos Al-Zarara (Damascus of white stone that con- Gate) is the most important nects the different levels. Sama’n Mansion gate that separated the old The first floor, accessible core of the city from the The three-story Sama’n via Star Street, now hosts outside world. It is said that Mansion House is another the Jivana and Qos Zarara was given that mixed-use late 19th century Café, which offers a mag- name after Persian soldiers building influenced by Lat- nificent view over the city, Hosh Kattan attempting to remove mar- in American architectural especially at night. ble stone from the internal Descend the stairs to your style. The house introduced walls of the Nativity Church left leading to Star Street. a revolutionary design of were stung by wasps. The Latin American- influ- a central courtyard with a enced mansion, Sama’n communal living area con- The Holy Land Trust is Mansion, is on your left be- necting two apartment en- a Palestinian non-profit fore you turn right to pass trances opposite each oth- peace organization that through Qos Al-Zarara. er on every floor. Two of the promotes community sup- Passing the Qos, look to shop units still contain old port through social de- your left at Hosh Hanania, printing equipment used bate. The organization was a beautiful four-floor th19 for the first printing press founded in 1998 and suc- century building, before ar- in Bethlehem. It is believed cessfully set up the Bethle- riving at the Visit Palestine the print shop was used to hem Live Festival. The fes- Center. publish the first Bethlehem Qos Al-Zarara tival takes place annually

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 84-85 8/13/20 10:14 AM in the first week of August building and is the offspring Walk along Manger Street 21. Hosh Nasser and includes performances of the startup www.visitpal- towards the Nativity Church by local and international estine.ps. It hosts a tourist and turn right to climb the Built during the 18th cen- artists. information center that pro- Nasser stairs by two of the tury, this three-story house motes and supports tour- Nasser family mansions. was designed to benefit www.holylandtrust.org, ism in Palestine. It provides Don’t miss the beauty of the from its strategic location. 02-2766002; Jivana restaurant and information, red stone Nasser house bal- From the openings over- café’: 0597313599 services, and high-quality conies on the first floor and looking Nativity Street, Star walking tours of Bethlehem their unique, ornamented Street, and Manger Square, neighborhoods, the Beth- metal handrails. Turn left, the residents of this house lehem region, and Battir. then right, and find your- could observe any events The center also houses a self opposite three falafel taking place. The house is boutique gift shop offering restaurants positioned at built of white stone in line a wide assortment of prod- Hosh Nasser. Try a bite of with local architectural ucts made in Palestine and authentic falafel and hum- techniques; the central axis a restaurant (DAJO) famous mus at one of the three res- at the main elevation is a Bethlehem Live Festival Event for its outdoor terrace, fresh taurants. source of interest. Don’t salads, and tasty sandwich- miss the main gate deco- 20. The Visit Palestine es served with warm hospi- rated with a floral motif Center tality. keystone, ornate metal- work, and a wooden door. The Visit Palestine Center is located in a beautifully www.visitpalestine.ps renovated 200-year-old 02-277 1992. Mon-Sat 9:00-22:00.

The Visit Palestine Center Nasser Mansion

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 86-87 8/13/20 10:14 AM Once the site of a famous left and walk through an 22. Bethlehem Peace olive oil press that attract- alley surrounded by tra- The circular balls of falafel are made of dried chickpeas, Center ed farmers from Bethlehem ditional buildings to Hosh onions, garlic, parsley, and and nearby villages, the Morcous Nasser. hot peppers, seasoned with a This cultural center for art three shop units are today variety of spices. The falafel and music was designed by home to three falafel res- paste takes around an hour Swedish architect Snorre taurants: Abu Aladas res- to prepare and a high level of Lindquist and was con- taurant owned by a Muslim; skill is required to shape and structed in 1999 after the Afteem restaurant owned fry them. decision to demolish the by refugee who fled Afteem restaurant is the Hummus is an oriental dish Tegart British police build- in the Nakba; and the Abu most famous falafel and eaten as a dip or spread on ing. The current building Dawod restaurant owned hummus restaurant in bread. It is made of cooked, contains exhibition halls, a by a Syriac. Bethlehem and has at- mashed chickpeas blended library, a tourist informa- tracted celebrities and with tahini, olive oil, lemon tion office, a book shop, a juice, salt, and garlic. Dishes politicians to try a bite restaurant, a museum, and of Middle Eastern food. with various spices and combi- Saliba Salameh left nations of beans are available a conference hall. Continue up the remain- Jaffa in 1948 with his at the hummus restaurant. family, leaving his house The Ottomans first estab- ing steps towards Manger lished a building here fol- Square with the Bethle- and properties behind, to open a very small falafel lowing a fire in the Cave hem Peace Center to your restaurant at a shop he of the Nativity in 1873; the left and Bethlehem Mu- rented in Manger Square. building housed govern- nicipality on your right. He worked night and ment offices, the police, Walk south-east towards day with his sons sell- and a jail. The Tegart build- Milk Grotto and continue ing falafel at the shop, named Afteem after his ing was constructed in the straight with the Armenian early 1940s and was used Convent to your left. Turn eldest son, and also went around the streets of as a jail by the British, and right down the stairs to Dar Bethlehem to sell to lo- later by the Jordanian and Sitti Azzizeh Guest House cals. The Afteem restau- Israeli administrations. In on the left hand corner be- rant has become a land- 1954 work to expand Man- fore crossing the street to mark in Bethlehem and ger Square saw the gate another set of stairs. Walk continues to draw locals and tourists despite the at the front of the building down the stairs to the end moved to the area by Ra- where Hosh Hazboun is on shop changing its loca- tion several times. chel’s Tomb. your left and the Candle Workshop faces you. Turn Falafel & Hummus Meal

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 88-89 8/13/20 10:14 AM Excavations during construction work in 1998 revealed 23. Bethlehem Municipality the remains of a Byzantine church mosaic floor. The Ri- waya Museum located on the ground floor displays the re- First established as a munic- mains of a church, a mosaic floor, and a well dating from ipal council in 1867 with six the Byzantine and Mamluk eras. council members, it became a municipality run by an ap- www.peacenter.org, 02-2766677. Mon-Sat 9:00-18:00. pointed mayor, Hanna Man- Bethlehem Municipality sour (Abu Khalil), in 1895. Born in 1891, Issa Bandak fin- The Lama Brothers Two municipal buildings ished his studies at the Frères The first Arab cinema film ever produced was called A Kiss in the overlooking Manger Square School in Bethlehem in 1913. Desert and was screened in Alexandria in 1927. The film was di- were built after the ex- He joined the government tele- rected by Ibrahim Lama and the main character in the film was his pansion project of the late graph school in Jerusalem in brother, Bader. Ibrahim and Bader Lama were the sons of Abdallah 1960s. A three-story build- 1914 as a way of escaping the Lama, a native of Bethlehem who emigrated to Chile in 1890, and ing was built in 1970 with draft by Turkish military forces. then moved to Egypt. His sons returned to Chile, where they were shop units for second-hand He taught at the Jerusalem Frères School and joined with introduced to photography and film. In 1926 they decided to return goods in the basement and to Bethlehem, the hometown of their parents, to start a Palestinian Hanna Dakarat in 1919 to cre- film industry. In the same year they established their own com- shops on street level, to- ate his first magazine, Bethle- pany called Condor Film. In 1934, during the British Mandate era, day souvenir shops and a hem, which was published for the first silent movie by Badir Ama, Al- Harib was filmed in an un- café. The main municipal- about two years. Bandak was derground stable. Inspired by political events, the film portrays the ity building on the western an activist and published his forced drafting of young men in World War I, with Turkish soldiers side of Manger Square was own newspaper, Saut al-Shaab shooting at Bethlehem residents as they flee across the rooftops. constructed in 1976 follow- (Voice of the People). He con- tributed to the Islamic-Chris- ing a design by Issa Tawil. tian community speeches di- It holds all the main of- rected by Arief Basha Adagani fices, including the Mayor’s against immigration to Pales- office and a hall for meet- tine by Zionist organizations ings. In 2000, a new urban and was the director of the space was created combin- Arab executive committee for ing public services, private the Bethlehem district. He was businesses, and a cultural elected as mayor on two occa- sions with an overwhelming space in place of the bus majority of votes, from 1934 station. to 1951, after which he was appointed as a Jordanian dele- www.bethlehem-city.org gate in Spain and later in Chile. Assaraya Building in place of Bethlehem Peace Center 02-274 1322/3/4. Mon-Sat 8:00-14:00.

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 90-91 8/13/20 10:14 AM 25. Dar Sitti Aziza Guest 26. Church Candle Factory House This one-room factory still Named after the owner’s uses traditional methods to grandmother (sitti in Ara- make high-quality church bic), the guest house in- candles of various sizes cludes nine rooms and two and colors. pavilions. It is a truly au- thentic cultural experience to stay at this traditional Mon-Sat 8:00-17:00. Ottoman building with cross vault ceilings, stone tiled floors, and a central hosh. Book your Palestin- ian breakfast in advance as it is prepared with organic ingredients and served Issa Bandak reflecting one of his important activities. with love. Source: Adnan Musallam, MUSALLAM, A. 2013. Issa Bassel Bandak : Biography (1898 - 1984). Bethlehem : Latin Patriarchate Press. (In Arabic). www.darsittiaziza.com, Church Candles 02 274 4848.

24. Armenian Convent 27. Hosh Hazboun - Centre for Cultural Heritage Pres- Originally built to serve ed with minimal openings as a base for the Ottoman around a central courtyard ervation (CCHP) administration, it was lat- and garden. The Armenian Hosh Hazboun was reno- er given to the Armenian Church is on the first floor. vated in 2015 to host the Church in an agreement The Armenian convent con- Centre for Cultural Heri- with the Ottoman authori- structed shops next to their tage Preservation (CCHP). ties during the final period convent with huge doors CCHP was established of their rule. A fortress-like and beautifully ornamented in 2001 to preserve tan- building, it was construct- carved stones. Dar Sitti Aziza Guest House gible and intangible cul-

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 92-93 8/13/20 10:14 AM tural heritage resources. CCHP formulates con- 28. Morcous Nassar House The house was renovated A team of architects and servation plans for towns - Ma’an lil Hayat/L’Arche to host Ma’an lil Hayat researchers worked with and villages and con- Bethlehem Association /L’Arche Bethlehem Asso- Bethlehem governorate to ducts research on cultural ciation, the first and only document and rehabilitate heritage and its role in The house of Bethlehem’s wool-felting project in Pal- built heritage, while also sustainable develop- first architect, Morcous estine founded in 2009. raising local community ment. CCHP played a Nassar, was designed of Ma’an lil Hayat brings to- awareness about heritage fundamental role in the three floors accessible via gether people with disabili- preservation. CCHP has preparation of the nomina- a staircase. The walls and ties to share life through succeeded in renovating tion dossiers for inscribing ceiling of the living area, structured creative activi- 41 traditional buildings and Bethlehem and Battir on dining room, corridors and ties. It is a project of the has implemented 11 urban the UNESCO World Heri- bedrooms are hand-painted International Federation and infrastructural projects tage List. with drawings related to of l’Arche Communities, throughout towns and vil- each of the room’s func- founded by Jean Vanier. lages in Bethlehem gover- tions. A terrace and two norate. www.cchp.ps, 02-2766244. balconies offer a magnifi- Mon-Thur & Sat 8:00-16:00. cent view over the Bethle- www.maanlilhayat.ps, hem valley. 02-2743345.

CCHP Renovation works Morcous Nassar House

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Tourist GUIDE BOOK_July_FINAL Mounir2.indd 94-95 8/13/20 10:14 AM