With all the built-up residential buildings, not many people really consider that Ramallah was once a quiet place in which one could retreat from the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem. Ramallah is also in the hills and as such many rich people used to build summer houses here to get away from the heat.
I would love to find out more about the architecture and history behind some of the grand buildings that I come across during my discovery walks of Ramallah. But in the meantime are some pictures of the places I've seen so far.
My favourite buildings are the ones that look run-down and in need to some repairs. It is through these buildings that I love day-dreaming about how I would renovate them. They are completely out of reach though, costing more than a couple of million USD, due to the value of the land. A lot are in disrepair because the original families have left Palestine. It may also be the case that the families who inherit them are quite big and that there are internal 'feuds' about the future of the buildings.
There is so much potential with these houses... here are some examples of the houses that have been beautifully renovated.
