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About CCHP

INTRODUCTION   

Dar Mansour The Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation is an off-shoot of the Bethlehem 2000 Project Authority (BL2000), established in 1998 to prepare Bethlehem for the celebrations marking the turn of the millennium. The Centre was mandated by President Yasser Arafat on 14 April 2001 to continue and expand on cultural heritage preservation efforts started by BL2000. It is an independent public body operating under the guidance of a board of trustees which is headed by the Minister of Culture and compromising representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and Local Government, and representatives from other related bodies.

Dar Mansour The mission of the Centre is to provide a sustainable mechanism for the protection and management of cultural heritage resources in the Bethlehem District and to enhance awareness of cultural heritage in the public consciousness.

Location

CCHP is situated in Dar Mansour, a 1912 building on Star Street, which is one of the oldest thoroughfares in the Bethlehem old core. The architectural features of Dar Mansour reflect the prosperity of the city at the beginning of the twentieth century and show a Western influence on traditional architecture. The building was rehabilitated and restored by Bethlehem 2000 Project through the support of the French Government.

Map - Dar Mansour
Location of Dar Mansour (CCHP)
Location of Dar Mansour (The CCHP Centre)

Objectives

  • Set up a programme for the preservation and management of urban spaces and historic buildings.
  • Document and classify cultural heritage resources.
  • Review and develop existing laws and legislation regarding the preservation of cultural heritage in cooperation and coordination with the concerned ministries and departments and in consultation with researchers and experts in the field.
  • Prepare a comprehensive Conservation Master Plan (CMP) and implement programmes and projects accordingly and in conformity with international standards for cultural heritage conservation.
  • Provide training programmes in conservation and special training for craftsmen and artisans working in the field.
  • Develop and implement programmes in public awareness related to cultural heritage preservation.
  • Foster international contacts and cooperation.