Old City of Gaza

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.

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
Country	Palestine
City	Gaza City

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 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.

Neighborhoods

The Old City of Gaza is divided into four main quarters, some of which have subdivisions. Three of these quarters — Tuffah, Daraj, and Zaytun — were located within the walls of the ancient city, while the southeastern quarter, as-Saja'iyyah, developed later, mostly outside these walls:^[2]

Walled city

• Daraj Quarter ("The Stairs Quarter"): Located in the northwest (generally west), this is the oldest part of the city, sometimes referred to as the old city of Gaza proper. It is known for its narrow streets and traditional homes. It sits on an hill about 20 meters above the surrounding plain and other parts of the city. The name likely comes from the stairs that led up to it or the sensation of climbing stairs when approaching the area.^[2]
• Zaytun Quarter ("The Olive Quarter"): Situated in the southwest (generally south), this quarter is named after its historical olive groves. It is the largest quarter within the old city walls. It contains the St. Porphyrius Church. The medieval Khan az-Zayt formed the historical border between the Zaytun Quarter and the Daraj Quarter; this was demolished under Djemal Pasha during the later years of Ottoman rule, and replaced with a road currently named Umar al-Mukhtär Street which now forms the boundary between the two quarters.^[2]
• Tuffah ("The Apple Quarter"): Located in the northeast (generally north), this quarter is known as the Apple Quarter. The southern part of this quarter, called ad-Dabbäghah, was historically the tanners' neighborhood, which was situated near the Ottoman-era slaughterhouse.^[2]

Outside the walls

• Shuja'iyya: This southeastern quarter, which developed during the Middle Ages, mostly lies outside the ancient city walls. Its location outside the walls allowed it to expand significantly, eventually surpassing the Zaytun Quarter in size. The quarter is subdivided into two parts: al-Judaydah (also known as Saja'iyyat al-Akrād, or "The Saja'iyyah of the Kurds") in the northeast and at-Turkmän in the south.^[2]

Architecture and Landmarks

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.

• 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.

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

See also

• Old City of Hebron
• Old City of Jerusalem

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. 11. Deutscher Verein zur Erforschung Palästinas: 149–159. ISSN 2192-3124. JSTOR 27928513. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
• Sharon, Moshe (2009). "Gaza". Corpus Inscriptionum Arabicarum Palaestinae. Vol. 4. BRILL. pp. 15–213. ISBN 90-04-17085-5.

References

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.
2. Sharon 2009, pp. 28–30: “The old city of Gaza, where all the remnants of the ancient, medieval and early Ottoman city are found, is divided into four quarters, a few of which are subdivided. Three of these quarters (at-Tuffäh, ad-Daraj, and az-Zaytun) were within the walls of the ancient city. The southeastern quarter, as-Saja'iyyah, developed later than the others, mainly outside these walls… The four quarters of the city are as follows: in the northeast (generally, north): Hãrat (or Hayy) at-Tuffäh (the "Apple Quarter”)… The Southern part of this quarter is called ad-Dabbäghah (not as-Sabbäghah) the tanners' neighbourhood situated in the area of the slaughter house during the Ottoman period… In the northwest (generally, west): Hãrat (or Hayy) ad-Daraj ("the Stairs Quarter"). This is the oldest part of the city, or the city of Gaza proper, situated on an oblong hill, some 20m. higher than the surrounding plain and the other parts of the city. It probably received its name from stairs that led to it, or from the feeling of whoever went up to it that he was climbing stairs… In the southwest (generally: south): Hãrat (or Hayy) az-Zaytün (the "Olive Quarter") called thus because of its olive groves. It is the largest quarter of Gaza… The Daraj Quarter is separated from the Zaytün Quarter by a wide road built during WWI by Jamãl Pasha. He ordered the demolition of a great part of the medieval Khãn az-Zayt to make room for the road to which he gave his name. The city council however, decided to change its name to 'Umar al-Mukhtär Street… The last Quarter in the southeast (generally east): Hãrat (or Flayy) as-Sajaiyyah… As mentioned, this quarter developed in the Middle Ages mainly outside the city walls… being built outside the wall, it had extensive possibilities to develop and become the largest quarter of the city, surpassing the Zaytun Quarter. The Sajaiyyah is subdivided into two parts: al-Judaydah (coll. Judeideh/Jdeideh) or Saja'iyyat al-Akrād (the Saja'iyyah of the Kurds) in the northeast, and at-Turkmän in the south.”