The Old City of Nazareth dates to the beginning of the eighteenth century, when many of the landed gentry came into wealth as a result of reforms instituted by the Ottoman Turkish authorities. The money was invested in mansions, with artisans and artists imported fro Turkey to reproduce the latest styles of the empire. Ceilings and walls were adorned with ornate paintings depicting scenes from around the Mediterranean, and central countryards were equipped with fountains and intricately carved stonework and woodwork. The main room was decorated with marble columns and floors and large Venetian- style windows that led to wood- latticed balconies.

In 2000, Nazareth underwent major renovations. The Old flagstones in the alleyways of the Old City were cleaned of the covering of 200 years, walls were sandblasted, buildings restored, and the wires and pipes of modern life hidden from sight. Today the town, with the largest functioning marketplace in the country, is a gem. Visitors strolling through the ancient streets can relive the heady days of the eighteenth century, enjoying the exotic sights, fragrances, and flavors of the East.