HAIFA EL ATIQA –
There are many sites of old settlements within the current urban region of Haifa. The first site by the name Haifa, appears in old writings, since the 3rd century CE.
The name Haifa derives probably from the name of a Canaanite village by the name "Alhaifa" that existed at the foot of Mt. Carmel.
The majority of the researchers agree that the name Haifa refers to a settlement, the relics of which where scattered within the area that extends today between the site of "Rambam Medical Center" & the old Jewish cemetery at Jaffa Rd. (see first & second photos).
It seems, that the only remains that still exist of this old settlement by the name Haifa, are subterranean catacombs,quarried in limestone,along a street by the current name of El Atiqa ('The Antique' in Arabic). This name intends to commemorate the old settlement of Haifa. More remnants that might have been left over following the settlement destruction, are,unfortunately, buried under the current western quays of Haifa port.
Already at the ancient time, Haifa had a mixed population, including Jews. Old Haifa was also mentioned in the literature of the Mishnah & The Talmud in connection with Rabbies who have lived in the settlement.The most famous of them was Rabbi Avdimi "Demin Haifa" (Avdimi "of Haifa", in Aramic).
Since the British mandate era, the neighbourhood of El Atiqa & around has been inhabited mainly by Christian Arabs & was known by the name "Carmel Station".
BAT GALIM –
Rambam Medical Center site marks, in fact, the Northern border of Bat Galim neighborhood, which is one of the oldest neighborhoods of the city. The construction plans of Bat Galim were prepared by Architect Richard Kaufman & the first buildings were built at the beginning of the twenties of the 20th century. Bat Galim is unique because it is the only neighbourhood where many of it's structures were built so close to the sea. There are about 5000 inhabitants in this neighborhood.

March, 2007