Abdel Hadi Palace
Abdel Hadi Palace in Nablus is considered one of the largest and most historically significant palaces in the city, having been constructed during the late Ottoman period. Its current owner is Mahmoud Abdel Hadi, a member of the prominent Abdel Hadi family from the town of Arraba in the Jenin governorate.
The Abdel Hadi family wielded substantial political and economic influence in the region throughout the 19th century under Ottoman rule. This power and affluence enabled them to accumulate vast tracts of agricultural land in the Jezreel and Dothan Valleys, as well as significant properties east of Nablus. Leveraging their substantial wealth, the family constructed up to 13 palaces in their ancestral hometown of Arraba, in addition to other palaces in villages where they held major landholdings. As Nablus grew in importance, certain family members, including Mahmoud Abdel Hadi, relocated there to reside. Mahmoud, who later became the regional governor, built this particular palace in 1885 AD to serve as his primary residence and center for managing the family's expansive business interests. The palace's lavish design and scale were intentionally crafted to showcase the Abdel Hadi family's extraordinary wealth and influence, which extended beyond this single property to include two additional palaces, two soap factories, and numerous shops in Nablus.
The palace is a three-story structure with distinct functional zones on each level. The ground floor houses a horse stable, whose tall entrance allowed knights to ride directly into the building. The second story features a segregated and self-contained suite, including a gated courtyard paved with ornate stone tiles, guard quarters, a reception hall, and offices for managing the family's commercial and agricultural enterprises. The uppermost third floor represents the palace's most private and exclusive domain. Accessed via concealed staircases, this level centers around a spacious, garden-like courtyard surrounded by the family's living and sleeping quarters, as well as arched communal spaces. In total, the palace encompasses 144 rooms and alcoves. Through its layered security features, specialized zones, and efforts to isolate female residents - echoing the selamlik and haramlik systems of traditional Ottoman architecture - the palace reflects a meticulously designed complex tailored to the needs and social conventions of its influential owners.