Gaza: A Short History of One of the World's Oldest Cities
Most people in the UK know Gaza from the news. Far fewer know that it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history that runs for thousands of years along the Mediterranean coast.
A port on the incense route
Gaza sat where the roads from Egypt, Arabia and the Levant met the sea. For centuries caravans carried incense, spices and textiles through the city to its harbour. Its wealth made it a prize: Alexander the Great besieged Gaza in 332 BC, and Egyptians, Romans, Byzantines and later Islamic dynasties all left their mark.
Mosques, churches and markets
The Great Omari Mosque, the oldest and largest historic mosque in Gaza, grew from a site that had been a temple and a church before it. Nearby, the Church of Saint Porphyrius traces its origins to the fifth century and is one of the oldest churches still in use in the region. The Pasha's Palace, a stone building from the Mamluk period, is said to have hosted Napoleon in 1799, although that story is hard to verify. Many of these landmarks were reported heavily damaged in 2023 and 2024.
A city of families
Gaza was also known for its markets, its fishermen, its textiles and, some say, even gave its name to gauze. Above all it is a city of families who have lived there for generations and of refugees who arrived after 1948. For many Palestinians in Britain, it is where parents and grandparents still are.
Loving Gaza means remembering it as a place, not only as a headline. That is the idea behind our I Love Gaza and Palestine Map designs.
FAQ
+How old is Gaza?
Gaza is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history reaching back thousands of years.
+Why was Gaza important in ancient times?
It sat on the trade routes between Egypt, Arabia and the Levant and had a harbour, so caravans carrying incense and spices passed through it.
+What are the historic landmarks of Gaza?
Known landmarks include the Great Omari Mosque, the Church of Saint Porphyrius and the Pasha's Palace, many of which were reported heavily damaged in 2023 and 2024.
+Is the word gauze named after Gaza?
It is often said that gauze is named after Gaza because of its fine textiles, but the link is not fully certain.
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