Mi'ilya village
Project: undergraduate, fourth year ,2018.
Course: Conservation studio.
Course: Conservation studio.
Mi'ilya, a local council in the western Galilee in the Northern District. Its name during the Kingdom of Jerusalem era in Galilee was Castellum Regis.
In 2019 it had a population of 3255, all of whom are Melkite Greek Catholics.
Archaeological excavations in Mi'ilya gives an indication of inhabitation from the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age, as well as Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, Mamluk and Ottoman periods, and today Mi'ilya considered as an architectural-historical fortune, which combines historical layers between its old and new architectural fabric, in addition to its different demographic composition, which can be considered a closed society in the concept of the broad.
The studio researches the wide architectural fabric that exists today and focuses on a site located near the remainders parts of King's castle -chateau du Roi.
as a part of the special miniatured community, understanding the lifestyle and the social values, I suggest an attaching space between the old and modern fabric that supports public relations aiming to expand the knowledge about "Mi'ilya" and insert a public unconventional rations that maintain the general situation and the "safety", on the other hand, it expands horizons and public connections for Mi'ilya's citizens.
In 2019 it had a population of 3255, all of whom are Melkite Greek Catholics.
Archaeological excavations in Mi'ilya gives an indication of inhabitation from the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age, as well as Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, Mamluk and Ottoman periods, and today Mi'ilya considered as an architectural-historical fortune, which combines historical layers between its old and new architectural fabric, in addition to its different demographic composition, which can be considered a closed society in the concept of the broad.
The studio researches the wide architectural fabric that exists today and focuses on a site located near the remainders parts of King's castle -chateau du Roi.
as a part of the special miniatured community, understanding the lifestyle and the social values, I suggest an attaching space between the old and modern fabric that supports public relations aiming to expand the knowledge about "Mi'ilya" and insert a public unconventional rations that maintain the general situation and the "safety", on the other hand, it expands horizons and public connections for Mi'ilya's citizens.
The proposed project consists of several sections, each section indicates an important landmark or function in the village, such as the Turkish bath that evokes the ancient life of the residents of Mi'ilya in the valley, a cultural café, a library and the local council that exhibits the present in the village. The connection between the two sections is an exhibition that explains the history of the village and displays Mi'ilya's archive until today's.
The entrance of the exhibition shows the Ottomans era and it's placed at the closest point to the castle, as we advance in the exhibition we approach to Mi'ilya's view as a facade, also, the architectural aspect of the exhibition, it becomes more exposed to the outside view and for the building construction that is similar to the old historical buildings in the lower division (vault and old stone) while in upper-division the exhibition designed from Mashrabiya ( an architectural element which is characteristic of traditional architecture in the Arabic world), which consists in the form of a pattern similar to the ancient stones that become less in density as we get closer to the view of the village in order to show the present, so the village's view becomes part of the material that covers the exhibition facades.
The entrance of the exhibition shows the Ottomans era and it's placed at the closest point to the castle, as we advance in the exhibition we approach to Mi'ilya's view as a facade, also, the architectural aspect of the exhibition, it becomes more exposed to the outside view and for the building construction that is similar to the old historical buildings in the lower division (vault and old stone) while in upper-division the exhibition designed from Mashrabiya ( an architectural element which is characteristic of traditional architecture in the Arabic world), which consists in the form of a pattern similar to the ancient stones that become less in density as we get closer to the view of the village in order to show the present, so the village's view becomes part of the material that covers the exhibition facades.
In addition, there is an auditorium for lectures and workshops, a shop for local purposes made by villagers and open space, who aim to develop culture and integrate it with visitors to the village.
this project was one of the most special experiments during my educational years, exploring and researching my own village in an architectural way.
this project was one of the most special experiments during my educational years, exploring and researching my own village in an architectural way.
Kings castle , was first noted in Crusader sources in 1160,[30] when it was probably built during King Baldwin III's reign, along with one of the biggest wineries in the Crusader states.
By 1179 the castle had apparently been rebuilt, as it was then called Castellum Novo.[6] In 1182, Baldwin IV granted the castle to his uncle, Jocelyn III. At this time it was called "The new castle in the mountains of Acre".
By 1187, the castle fell to Saladin, but was soon back in Crusader control. In the 1220, ownership passed to the Teutonic Knights. However, the importance of the castle of Mi'ilya was by this time superseded by the Montfort Castle.
The Arab geographer, Al-Dimashqi, noted the "fine castle", and that close to it was a very pleasant valley, where musk-pears and large citrons were grown.
Victor Guérin found in 1875 that “on the highest part of the hill we remark the remains of an ancient fortress, flanked by four square towers; considerable portions remain, showing that it was built of regular blocks, some levelled plane and some embossed; the latter were reserved for the angles. The ruins and interior of this fortress are now inhabited by about twenty families, which have built their little habitations in the midst of the debris.
By 1179 the castle had apparently been rebuilt, as it was then called Castellum Novo.[6] In 1182, Baldwin IV granted the castle to his uncle, Jocelyn III. At this time it was called "The new castle in the mountains of Acre".
By 1187, the castle fell to Saladin, but was soon back in Crusader control. In the 1220, ownership passed to the Teutonic Knights. However, the importance of the castle of Mi'ilya was by this time superseded by the Montfort Castle.
The Arab geographer, Al-Dimashqi, noted the "fine castle", and that close to it was a very pleasant valley, where musk-pears and large citrons were grown.
Victor Guérin found in 1875 that “on the highest part of the hill we remark the remains of an ancient fortress, flanked by four square towers; considerable portions remain, showing that it was built of regular blocks, some levelled plane and some embossed; the latter were reserved for the angles. The ruins and interior of this fortress are now inhabited by about twenty families, which have built their little habitations in the midst of the debris.
