Ras Karkar

Infobox Palestinian Authority muni
name=Ras Karkar


imgsize=250
caption=
arname=رأس كركر
meaning=
founded=
type=munc
typefrom=
altOffSp=
altUnoSp=
governorate=rb
latd=31|latm=56|lats=36.48|latNS=N
longd=35 |longm=06|longs=17.51|longEW=E
population=1,898
popyear=2006
area=
areakm=
mayor=

Ras Karkar ( _ar. رأس كركر) is a Palestinian town in the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, located 11 kilometers Northwest of Ramallah in Samaria. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), the town had a population of 1,898 inhabitants in mid-year 2006. [ [http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/populati/pop07.aspx Projected Mid -Year Population for Ramallah & Al Bireh Governorate by Locality 2004- 2006] Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)]

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Situated 12 km to the west of Ramallah, Ras Karkar (or Ras Ibn Samhan) is a village topped with a castle on a high, rocky and sharply sloping mountain surrounded by cactus trees. The village was one of the many throne villages (a central village dominated by a semi feudal family which controlled tens of villages around it) in Palestine. The castle of the Samhan family is proof of the great power and wealth that existed mainly during the 19th century.

Ras Karkar was ruled by Sheikh Ismail Ibn Samhan who was respected and appreciated by his clan for the many contributions and support that he provided. Sheikh Ismail was killed by the Abu Ghosh family which controlled another throne village near Ras Karkar, and the castle was handed over to his nephew Hussein.

The majestic castle is surrounded with historic buildings and overlooks to the west the mountains connecting with the Mediterranean Sea and to the south the city of Jerusalem. Looking down one can see the village fields planted with olive tress and destroyed by Israeli settlements.

Entering the abandoned castle from the northern gate leads to a large courtyard surrounded by a row of rooms. Al-Iliyeh, which is the highest room in the three-floor castle, was used for administrative purposes and as the Sheikh’s private refuge. Narrow hallways and oil containers, many decorations and poems carved in the castle’s walls and stones are among the things one can see there.