Khan Al-Bireh
The building, originally known as Curia during the Crusader period, served as the central location for court proceedings. In the Ottoman era, it became known as Khan Al-Bireh. It is located east of Almughtaribeen Street and south of Khawla Bint Al-Azwar School, situated on the southern slope of the Crusader-era Bireh.
This structure dates back to the Crusader period and was part of the southern buildings of the Crusader settlement, serving as a key governance center for the Hospitallers. At that time, it was referred to as Curia, which was the center for legal and administrative functions. According to Crusader documents from 1151 AD, Judge Arnulfs Jouri was appointed to oversee the court at this central building, with a representative from the Holy Sepulchre Church. Later, during the Islamic period, the building functioned as a rest stop for travelers, merchants, and pilgrims, earning it the name Khan Al-Bireh due to its location on the route between Jerusalem and Nablus.
The building was designed in the Romanesque style with a rectangular layout measuring approximately 60 by 45 meters. However, natural factors have significantly altered its original dimensions, leaving only the remains with dimensions of 16 by 14 meters. It features pointed arches supported by intersecting arches constructed from dressed stones.
In 1997, the Antiquities Department (Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities) undertook cleaning and excavation work to restore the building. The damaged walls and ceilings were rehabilitated, and the structure was repurposed as a museum. Today, it is known as Khan Al-Bireh Museum.
The Khan Al-Bireh Museum serves as a cultural heritage center, dedicated to preserving and managing the city's cultural assets. The museum features a permanent exhibit showcasing important archaeological finds from Al-Bireh, organized by their excavation sites, and includes a multi-purpose hall as well as laboratories and workshop areas.