Old City of Gaza

Old City of Gaza

البلدة القديمة الغزة
Old City of Gaza البلدة القديمة الغزة
Old city
	Church of Saint Porphyrius and the Katib al-Wilaya Mosque
	1931 Survey of Palestine map
	Coordinates: 31°30′12″N 34°27′48″E / 31.50333°N 34.46333°E
Country	Palestine
City	Gaza City

The Old City of Gaza is the historical center of Gaza City, in the Gaza Strip. For much of recorded history it has been the southernmost coastal city in the region of Palestine, occupying a strategic position on ancient trade route of the Via Maris, between Egypt and the Levant. Throughout its history, Gaza has been ruled by various empires, including the Philistines, Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Romans, and Ottomans.

Following Israeli bombardment during the ongoing Gaza–Israel conflict, the Old City has been described in 2024 as "a vast field of ruins".^[1]

History

Francis Frith's 1857 photograph of the Old City of Gaza

The city's origins trace back to around 3000 BCE when it was first established by the Canaanites. Gaza rose to prominence due to its location on the Via Maris trade route that links Africa and Asia, serving as a hub for merchants and travelers. During the Roman Empire and Byzantine periods, it grew as a center for the trade of spices and perfumes. It continued to play an important role under Islamic rule, was briefly conquered by the Crusaders, and later became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1516.

Much of the Old City has been destroyed by Israeli bombardment during the ongoing Gaza–Israel conflict.

Architecture and Cultural Legacy

The Old City of Gaza is renowned for its architectural landmarks, many of which date back to the Mamluk and Ottoman periods. The dense urban fabric includes mosques, churches, bathhouses, and markets that showcase a blend of Byzantine, Mamluk, and Ottoman architectural styles. Despite modern development, the Old City retains many elements of its historical layout.

Landmarks

Great Mosque of Gaza (Al-Omari Mosque) – Originally a Byzantine church, converted into a mosque during the Islamic period.
Church of Saint Porphyrius – A Byzantine-era church serving the local Greek Orthodox community.
Hamam al-Sammara – A traditional bathhouse from the Mamluk period.
Qasr al-Basha (Napoleon's Fort) – An Ottoman palace where Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have stayed.
Gold Market (Souk Al-Qaysariyya) – A historic market specializing in gold and jewelry.
Old City Walls – Remnants of the fortifications that once encircled the city.

Neighborhoods

Daraj Quarter (Quarter of the Steps) – One of the oldest neighborhoods, known for its narrow streets and traditional homes.
Zaytun Quarter (Olive Quarter) – A historic area known for olive groves and its proximity to the St. Porphyrius Church.
Al-Rimal – A modern district that lies beyond the Old City and stretches towards the coast.

Maps and images

500s CE Madaba Map
700s CE Umm ar-Rasas mosaics
1799, Carte de l'Égypte, showing the battles during the French invasion of Egypt and Syria
1839 The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia
1840–41 Royal Engineers
1879 Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria
1887-88, Georg Gatt 1–5,000,
1931, Survey of Palestine 1–10,000
1937, Survey of Palestine 1–2,500

Bibliography

Al-Qeeq, Farid (2011-03-01). "A Comprehensive Approach to Incorporate Architectural Heritage of Gaza Old City into Contemporary Urban Fabric". Lonaard Journal. 1 (2): 109-. ISSN 2045-8150. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
Al-Qeeq, Farid S (2009-01-01). "A Sustainable Approach for Urban Integration of Hammam Sammrah in the Historic City of Gaza". International Journal of Architectural Research: Archnet-IJAR. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
Clarke, Joanne; Steel, Louise; Sadeq, Moain (2004). "Gaza Research Project: 1998 Survey of the Old City of Gaza". Levant. 36 (1). Informa UK Limited: 31–36. doi:10.1179/lev.2004.36.1.31. ISSN 0075-8914.
Gatt, Georg (1888). "Legende zum Plane von Gaza". Zeitschrift des Deutschen Palästina-Vereins (1878-1945). 11. Deutscher Verein zur Erforschung Palästinas: 149–159. ISSN 2192-3124. JSTOR 27928513. Retrieved 2024-09-22.

References

^ Mraffko, Clothilde; Forey, Samuel (2024-02-14). "Israeli bombs are wiping out Gaza's heritage and history". Le Monde.fr. Retrieved 2024-09-29. Whether the Israelis act intentionally or not, "the result is effectively the erasure of a heritage and a history. Symbolically, this is important because this is one of the ways in which people are attached to their territory," warned Benoît Tadié, former cultural adviser to the French consulate general in Jerusalem between 2009 and 2013. He takes as an example the Old City of Gaza, which, like much of the north of the enclave, is now a vast field of ruins. "It wasn't just a site, it was also the heart of today's city. The hammam and the Pacha's Palace were extremely popular places. The museum also served as a place of education for schoolchildren," explained Tadié.

[i699-1] Mraffko, Clothilde; Forey, Samuel (2024-02-14). "Israeli bombs are wiping out Gaza's heritage and history". Le Monde.fr. Retrieved 2024-09-29. Whether the Israelis act intentionally or not, "the result is effectively the erasure of a heritage and a history. Symbolically, this is important because this is one of the ways in which people are attached to their territory," warned Benoît Tadié, former cultural adviser to the French consulate general in Jerusalem between 2009 and 2013. He takes as an example the Old City of Gaza, which, like much of the north of the enclave, is now a vast field of ruins. "It wasn't just a site, it was also the heart of today's city. The hammam and the Pacha's Palace were extremely popular places. The museum also served as a place of education for schoolchildren," explained Tadié.

[1]