Up until now, one could only read about what the Land of Israel looked like in the 19th century through the eyes of an American tourist, in Mark Twain's famous travel memoir "The Innocents Abroad." Now, we have the opportunity to see it too through the lens of the camera of an American who toured the country from 1890 to 1900.

Trip to the Past Jerusalem in black and white Nadav Man Photographer Eddie Hirshbein's collection documents Israel's capital, its leading figures in 1950s Jerusalem in black and white

The United States Library of Congress has published this fascinating collection of photos documenting the country between the First Zionist Aliyah and the Second Aliyah.

The pictures were refurbished in the photochrom technique – in other words, black and white photos were colored. It's unclear who the photographer was and what he was doing in the Middle East. In addition to the Land of Israel, the series also includes pictures from Lebanon and Syria.

Fishing in Sea of Galilee

Jerusalem

Damascus Gate

Jaffa Gate

Afternoon rest in Galilee

Market in Jerusalem

Bethany

Photographer visited Beirut too

Syrian women preparing bread

Jordan River

Shepherds in Nebi Samuel

Nazareth

Migdal

Bedouin encampment

In Lebanon again: Baalbek temple

Jerusalem

Laborers in Jerusalem

Pillars in ancient Samaria

Bedouins with camels