Araba, a Palestinian town about 12 km southwest of Jenin. It has a population of more than 11,000, all Muslims. It rises about 400 meters above sea level.
Most important attractions:
QASR (PALACE) OF ABD AL-HADI
The wide (13 buildings) and elegant palace in the center of Arraba, was built, like the one in Nablus, in different stages in the first half of the 20th century, as the “headquarter” of the Abd Al-Hadi family.
It is a symbol of the importance achieved by the clan during the 18th and 19th century, during the Ottomans’ domination (1516-1918) and during the interval of the occupation by the Egyptians (1831-1840).
During the visit to the palace, do not miss the two imposing doors of the entrance, the Musa and the Assaf gates, the seat of the women organization with its exhibition of handicrafts, the Turkish bath, the garden of the oranges, the old mosque, the children training rooms, the permanent exhibition of the local artist Kaujhan.
Address: In the downtown. For information ask the local guide Ru’a Haj Ahmad or the Municipality of Arraba
THE INTERPRETATION CENTER (HOUSH AL-BADAWI)
Located in the area of Qasr Abd Al-Hadi.
EXPERIENCE AND SHOPPING WITH THE ARRABA SOCIETY FOR WOMEN DEVELOPMENT
In one of the Abd Al-Hadi palaces, the municipality assigned some premises to the local Arraba Society for Women Development.
This association, today coordinated by Temam Quinawi, was established in 2004 to give strength to the women, protect them from violence, entertain and train their children, teach the members, supply them with rewarded activities to contribute to the balance of the family. The association performs also volunteer activities in favor of the community collaborating with the municipality.
Starting with 52, the number of the founders of the association, it now has more than 700 members distributed among Arraba and branches in Jenin, Qabatiya, Ya’bad, and the Kufriyat. They realize handicrafts like embroidery, bijouterie, necklaces, baskets, hampers, handbags, olive paste, jams, shown in fairs and in their exhibition in the palace.
After a prior notice, they will carry out training of the visitors to create their own handicrafts or a special Palestine recipe. In fact, their most original specialty is the duqqa, usually cooked during events, ceremonies, festivals, exhibition. The duqqa is a Gazan dish, composed of roasted and milled lentils and chickpeas blended with sumac, caraway and sesame seeds. The recipe for this blend was brought from Gaza by one of the women, Manar Khleif, who is willing to teach the guests to make according to the original process.
Address: Al-Hadi Palace; working hours 2pm-7pm every day, but you can visit anytime by calling
CULTURE AND EXPERIENCE AT THE SHAMI TURKISH BATH
An elegant Turkish bath in the premises of the Abd Al-Hadi palace near the garden of oranges is going to be re-opened in June 2020. It will re-create for the public the atmosphere of the relaxing moments, once reserved to the nobles.
It will be dedicated on different days of the week to men and women separately.
Address: Inside the Abd Al-Hadi Palace, downtown. For information about the days and times of access, ask the local guide Ru’a Haj Ahmad or the Municipality of Arraba:
EXPERIENCE AND GASTRONOMY AT UMM JEHAD 'S CONFECTIONER
Umm Jihad is a member of the Arraba Society for Women Development who prepares homemade Palestinian pastry like: kullaj (a special cake prepared for special occasions, similar to baklava but served hot), kubbeh sweet or salt (outer dough-like shell and an inner filling), different types of bakery, yellow bread, made with cornflour, olive oil and sesame, mamoul, a soft biscuit filled with dates.
She started to prepare food six years ago for her relatives. As they extolled her cooking skill, she decided to cook also on request and now is willing to do show-cooking and training for the visitors.
Address: Pastry shop by Umm Jihad, in the Western street. For a workshop, reserve the visit at least one day earlier, directly (mob +970 059 5684241) or through a local guide.
TAL DOTHAN ARCHAEOLOGIC SITE AND JOSEPH’S WELL
Tal (mount) Dothan is an archaeologic site inhabited since the Neolithic period (10.000 – 3.500 BC) and later, intermittently, until the Islamic period.
It is believed to be the place where the sons of Jacob, envious that Joseph was best-loved by their father, undressed and thrown him into a cistern, which, according to the tradition, is just the well now existing in the site. Joseph did not die there. The eldest son convinced the brothers to sell him to merchants on their way to Egypt.
Address : Along Arraba main street on the road to Jenin
THE EXPERIENCE OF CALLIGRAPHER
An interesting experience of learning to write Arabic words in a calligraphic way can be made at the house of Mohamed Shareef. He is an artist, worked with the famous calligrapher Hashem Al Baghdadi and exhibited his paintings also abroad in Great Britain, Ukraine, and China. His works show various, elegant Arabic writings inside scenes which are feasts of colors. During the visit, after prior notice, he will show his works. Moreover in 30’ he will teach how to write in an artistic way 6 Arabic letters, and in the end, he will supply also 3 kinds of brushes, the ink and the paper, for a small contribution. Artist and calligrapher
Address : Mohamed Shareef house
ACCOMMODATION AND GASTRONOMY AT AL MARDAWI GUEST HOUSE
Mustafa and Ayat Mardawi offer the 2nd floor of their new villa to the guests, with 4 rooms 14 beds, all with wifi high speed. The terraces and the windows are a beautiful lookout on the fields of olives and farther away on the town of Arraba.
The windows of the guestroom overlook beautiful and lush olive groves, some of which belong to the Mardawis. Ayat is a great cook of dishes where many products of their lands and livestock find a place. Her specialty is the Maqluba (= upside down), a whole meal in a unique dish, where rice, vegetables, meat and herbs are cooked in a single pot which later with a movement of prestidigitator is turned over on a great plate to serve. Many prepare it but we find difficult to meet one similar to the wealth of taste of that cooked by Ayat.
Address :Al Mardawi guest house, by Mustafa and Ayat Mardawi, in Kufur Rai street
ACCOMMODATION AND GASTRONOMY AT HANA SALAH HOMESTAY
The homestay “Othman’s residence”, by Hana Salah, near the center of the town, occupies part of an ancient Ottoman palace. Two large elegant rooms, one with 3 beds extendable to 5, with wifi, the other with 2 beds extendable to 4, without wifi, propose a very luxury stay at a very low price. The main meals are focused on specialties taken from the Palestinian gastronomy. The breakfast surprises with fresh tabun local bread with hot cheese or za'atar on top, circled by the usual variety of Palestinian hors d’oeuvre.
Address: In the center of the town, always open.
There is a sketch of her and of her family. She speaks good English and gives the visitors an opportunity to interact and understand the logic of the Palestinian family and the secrets of the real Arraba.
EXPERIENCE AND SHOPPING: "MIRACULOUS" HAND CREAM
Mrs. Basima Arda produces at home a hand crème they call “miraculous” to make the hands and arms soft and without wrinkles. If advised in time, Basima kindly trains the visitors on how to take care of their hands and arms.
Address: Basima Arda makes the workshop at home, so she must get a prior notice one day earlier. Tel +970 42468794. For more information ask the local guide Ru’a Haj Ahmad or Tamam Quinawi
SHOPPING: THE SHOP OF NARGHILE AND OTHER GIFTS
If you want to take home a piece of Palestine, the narghile's shop can give you some original ideas like, for example, an elegant and even old narghile ore some less bulky gifts.
Address: Centre of Arraba.
THE MUNICIPAL PARK AND ITS ENTERTAINMENTS
The Municipal Park of Arraba shows, in an orderly grove, games for children and adults, a café with places indoors and outdoors, a pool for children and one for adults. This last is open alternatively, in the even days only to women, in the odd days only to men. The park, beyond the entertainments during the day, offers also an appreciated destination in the evening for couples and families.
Address: Western street, always open, 24/7 The pools are open only in summer, when the site is more frequented.
RESTAURANT BY BILAL L. OBEID
In Arraba, there is also a traditional restaurant with a home delivery service: Happiness Restaurant by Bilal l. Obeid, with the kitchen on the ground floor, to be able to serve the passers-by on the road with street and fast food. The dining room for the clients is on the 1st floor, with a menu extended to Palestinian specialties.
Address: Arraba downtown, in the main street. .
AL NAZAZEH: THE EXPERIENCE OF PRODUCTION OF OLIVE OIL AND CHARCOAL
The Al Nazazeh oil company offers the visitors in November and December to take part in the olive harvesting when the whole community joins to help and then to the selection of the olives, the press and the controlled production of oil, its bottling and packing.
Another very interesting and sustainable cycle is made in parallel in the factory: the production, from wasted wood, of bricks of charcoal.
Address: Al-Nazazeh co. is managed by Abdalaziz Ardah, Al-Nazazeh str,
STREET FOOD: THE DISCOVERY OF ARRABA BY NIGHT
The night in Arraba reserves surprises. The atmosphere is gay. All the shops, mainly of street food, are open.
Al-Rozana Café for light drinks and desserts.
Masar Ibrahim Al Khalil, which starts from the village of Romana through the villages of Burqin, Sanur and Arraba, to the village of Beit Merasmus, south of Hebron.
Sufi Trail
