About The Project

The town of Birzeit

The town of Birzeit is located 10 km to the north of Ramallah and sits 780 meters above sea level. With an area of 14,088 dunum, Birzeit is considered one of the largest villages in the Ramallah district. According to the 'Population, Housing and Establishment Census' conducted by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics in 1997, its total population at that time was 4,686 people. In 2008 however, its population was estimated to be 7,764. The town is distinguished by its beauty and its central location mid-way between North and South, and East and West. It is bordered by the village of Abu Qash to the South, ‘Atara to the North, Jifna and Ein Siniya to the East, and Kubar and Abu Shekhaidem to the West.

The town comprises many cultural and natural heritage sites, in addition to the historical area which is distinguished by its homogenous architectural fabric and the presence of significant historic buildings. There are also many archeological sites and ruins in the town such as Khirbat Birzeit, Khirbat al-Ras, Khirbat Dair al-‘Uqban, and Khirbat Rujum al-Rajman. The town has many water springs and cisterns and contains large, wooded areas.

There are 174 historic buildings in Birzeit, of which 108 are located inside the historical area. It should be noted that the historical area goes back to the Mamluk era originating in Egypt around 1250 A.D. Parts of a Khan (caravansary) still exists from that time in the northern part of the town.