THE CONSERVATION PROJECT OF AL-QAISARIYYA
BAZAAR
Historically, the east gate of Al-Qaisariyya was the main gate of Gaza old city. As well as Al-Qaisariyya is the east part of the historical commercial route. The western part of Al-Qaisariyya was demolished at the beginning of the twentieth century before and during World-War-I. The doors of the east gate were removed in the mid of twentieth century.
The dimension of the ground floor is 9m in width and 60m in length. The central passageway is 3m wide and the clear dimensions for the 44shops are varying according to their location but generally, they are around 2m width and 2m length. A central entrance hall is located in the mid of the bazaar passageway. This hall plays a connection role between the bazaar, Al-Omari Mosque, and the remaining shops of Khan Ez-Zeit.
The site's physical condition
The original stones, walls, vaults, and finishes are in poor condition and need urgent interventions. The air-conditioning network is installed without respecting the historic value of the monument, it also imposes a major threat to individual lives. Unsuitable decoration works inside the shops. The central cross vault and the west entrance of Al-Qaisariyya were destroyed during WWI. The roof needs better isolation, maintenance, and a drain system. The uncontrolled extensions and illegal encroachments are in many parts of the Bazaar.
Al-Qaisariyya as well-known as the Gold Market is providing direct jobs for 120 families in this very poor city as well as it is providing tens of opportunities for crafts that are related to jewelers’ handicrafts. Around 20% of shop owners are Christians and they work in a peaceful environment inside the Bazaar. It is also providing opportunities for creative industries such as music, photography, and film-making. As well as internal tourism.
The types of threats and challenges
Heath Condition: situation of the pandemic of Covid-19 may cause a deny freedom of movement.
Political Condition: Al-Qaisariyya is very vulnerable to the threat of armed conflict. The crossing points and borders are always controlled by the Israeli forces, which may prevent and put high restrictions on entering chemicals and equipment that are used in the restoration processes. As well as giving very limited approval for international experts to enter Gaza.
Demographics: The Bazaar stands in one of the busiest commercial areas in Gaza-old-city. A fact that affected the negotiations leading up to the reclamation of the open spaces that had been encroached upon by informal traders.
Site Conditions: Conservation and upgrading interventions are facing significant logistical and technical challenges because of the morphology of the building. Additionally, the project team has to start the work after 8:00 PM when the Bazaar shops are closed.
Underrepresented Heritage: The rich architectural heritage of Palestine has suffered from alarming destruction, deterioration, and negligence. This has been the result of inadequate legislation since the British Mandate, Israeli dominance, urban sprawl, and Palestinian Authority shortcomings.
Climate Change: Climate change will increase extremes of wetting and drying that heighten the risk of ground subsidence and accelerated decay of stonework and thus pose a threat to many historic buildings.
Imbalanced Tourism: Gaza does not have international tourism because of the long history of conflict conditions.
Lack of Awareness: a lack of awareness of the importance of cultural heritage among the public, due to the heavy impact of the political and economic conditions.
The absence of a well-funded national management body for the antiquities and the cultural heritage in Gaza is one of the main obstacles to the future of cultural heritage and archaeology, as most of the organizations involved are working according to their own plans and not following coherent national strategy.