Heritage Documentation and Conservation
Peki’in Flour Mill
05/2025
The Peki’in Flour Mill, located in the heart of the historic village, stands as a living testimony to a traditional economic and social system that initially relied on water technologies and later on diesel engines. The documentation included architectural and historical surveys, an analysis of construction phases, and a study of the mill’s role over the years, highlighting its social and economic contribution to the local fabric. Beyond the site itself, the file also examined flour mills in Israel and worldwide, exploring construction methods across different historical periods, technological developments, and their influence on settlement patterns and broader historical processes. The recommendations emphasized the mill’s value as a communal and commercial center and its potential for preservation and reintegration into village life while maintaining its historic and unique character.
Heritage Documentation and Conservation
Hiluwa Building, Shefa-‘Amr
01/2023
The Arraba Spring, emerging from a natural rock face in the heart of the village, served for centuries as a vital water source for daily life. Around it, stone terraces, storage pools, and irrigation channels were constructed for agriculture and communal use, making the spring a cultural, social, and landscape focal point. The documentation examined not only the site’s historical layers and hydrological function but also the broader context of springs in Israel and worldwide: different spring types, water-capturing methods, and architectural forms developed around them. Special attention was given to the relationship between water sources and geography – the interplay of topography, soil, and seasonal flows – and how these factors shaped both the physical structures and the social practices surrounding the spring. The recommendations emphasized preserving the spring’s physical structure while rehabilitating the surrounding agricultural-cultural landscape, underscoring its value as a community landmark and heritage site within the Galilee.
Heritage Documentation and Conservation
Al-Manzoul (Guesthouse), Julis
08/2025
Built in the early 20th century in the historic core of Julis, the Al-Manzoul building served for decades as a central hub for hospitality, community gatherings, and public ceremonies. Constructed from local stone with a large central hall, it embodied the Druze tradition of hospitality – a core cultural and social value. In the 1960s its use declined due to changing lifestyles and the establishment of new institutions in the village, yet its historical and communal significance remains. The documentation highlighted its symbolic value as a site reflecting Druze identity and proposed conservation strategies to preserve its unique character while reintegrating it into Julis’s urban fabric.
Heritage Documentation and Conservation
St. George’s Church, Acre
08/2024
St. George’s Church, located in the heart of Acre’s Old City, is one of the most important Greek Orthodox churches in Israel and serves as a central religious, historical, and communal landmark. The current church was built during the Ottoman period on the remains of an earlier Crusader church, reflecting the layered history of the city. Its architecture combines local building traditions with Byzantine and Orthodox influences, while successive renovations and alterations over the centuries have added further layers of character. The documentation examined not only the history of this site but also the architectural styles of churches in the region across different periods highlighting the unique features that distinguish St. George’s within Acre’s historic urban fabric. The recommendations focused on preserving the sanctity of the site and its continued religious use, alongside the conservation of its architectural elements, ensuring its historical and cultural values are safeguarded for future generations.