Damascus – Faroukh Shah Mosque دمشق – جامع فروخ شاه

This small Ayyubid-era mosque and tomb is curiously located in the center of a modern shopping complex attached to the Four Seasons Hotel. While much modernization of Damascus (دمشق) has come at the cost of the city’s cultural heritage, here it was seen fit to incorporate an ancient site into this 21st century development

Faroukh Shah Mosque (جامع فروخ شاه) was built to house the tomb of Faroukh Shah (فروخ شاه), a nephew of Salah al-Din (صلاح الدين يوسف بن أيوب) who died in 1183. He was briefly the Emir of Baalbek (Lebanon) and led many battles against the Crusaders under the command of his uncle Salah al-Din (صلاح الدين يوسف بن أيوب). He is credited with defeating the army of Baldwin IV of Jerusalem near Banias (بانياس) in 1179. He was also known as an author and poet, and was regarded by his contemporaries as modest, generous and courageous.

Upon his death in 1183, his mother had his body returned to Damascus (دمشق) and ordered the construction of his tomb next to an existing religious school. Today, the small prayer hall on the northern side of the structure serves the surrounding area, while the tomb is on the southern side of the building. It was carefully restored during the construction of the surrounding shopping complex in 2005.

 

Getting There: Faroukh Shah Mosque (جامع فروخ شاه) is located near the modern city center of Damascus (دمشق), in the western end of the shopping complex attached to the Four Seasons Hotel. This is located on the northern side of the main street of Shakri al-Quwatli (شكري القوتلي), almost directly opposite the National Museum (المتحف الوطني).

Coordinates: 33°30’52.00″N / 36°17’22.00″E

Transliteration Variants: Farukh Shah Mosque, Farokh Shah Mosque

Rating: 2 / 10