Alhamra Palace
The Alhambra Palace in Ramallah, named after the renowned Alhambra Palace in Granada, Andalusia, is situated on Al-Irsal Street, roughly 500 meters north of Al-Manara Square. This three-story building, constructed in 1926, is made of finely cut stones and features a flat roof with iron dowels and a tiled, gabled top. Originally built on 3.5 dunums as a private residence for the Al-Bateh family, the palace underwent significant changes over the years.
In 1945, the family leased the palace to the Ramallah Summer Resorts Co., which transformed it into a tourist hotel. The hotel became a favored spot for many prominent figures, including King Abdullah I, various ministers, and famous Arab artists such as Umm Kulthum and Abdel Halim Hafez.
During the 1967 war, the hotel was repurposed as a field hospital due to its proximity to the Jordanian army headquarters, now the presidential headquarters, Al-Muqata'a. By 1987, facing the harsh conditions prevalent throughout Palestinian cities, the hotel was closed and repurposed as a residence for female students from Birzeit University until 1996. The hotel closed again in 2006.
After extensive rehabilitation and restoration, the building was reopened in 2009 as a hotel. Today, the Alhambra Palace operates as a restaurant set amidst nature, surrounded by pine trees that are over 100 years old, continuing to attract many distinguished visitors.