Throne Villages Tour, from Ramallah

During the Ottoman rule in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the central highlands of Palestine were divided into 24 administrative domains (sheikdoms). These sheikdoms were ruled by sheiks who belonged to rich or "noble" families. It is where these sheiks and their families resided that we find "the throne villages". The sheikh, who was endowed with both political and social status, was the tax collector on behalf of the Ottoman central government. As a result, sheiks gained tremendous power and wealth, which was reflected in their lifestyles and the architecture of their respective palaces and villages. In this tour, we will visit 5 villages located nowadays in Ramallah district.