Monumental Features. Many Arab houses built during the 1920s and 1930s had monumental stairways, which are prevalent in the affluent neighborhoods of Talbieh, Katamon and Baq’a in South West Jerusalem, and in Sheikh Jarrah Neighborhood in East Jerusalem. The size and sculptural aesthetic quality of the stairway emphasized the splendor of the house, the significance of its main entrance, and the social status of its owner. Mostly the stairways lead to the main entrance which was located on an upper floor. There are similar stairways in Christian institutions, but are rare in Jewish houses.