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In Old Town Battir, an assembly of small charming buildings gather around a hosh, or a courtyard, to form the Seven Widows Quarter. The quarter was referred to as such only recently after it was known as Al Butma Quarter, from the time when its residents were predominantly from Al Butma family. In general, women in Battir are known for their resilience and determination, and are as industrious as the men. For the seven widows, as hard as it was to have lost their husbands and backbones, let alone the many social challenges they were confronted with, yet they participated in all the chores and duties around Battir, hence the name of the quarter was attributed in their honour. The intriguing quarter overlooks a valley of plantations, which were the bread and butter of the town residents, and the famous Jerusalem-Yafa train line, which was built by the Ottomans and inaugurated in 1892. In recent years, especially after the renovation of the Old Town in 2008, many visitors make their way to Battir, and the Seven Widows Quarter is at the top of their agenda.
