Hidden away in the markets of the old city of Damascus (دمشق) is Nur al-Din al-Shahid Mosque (جامع نور الدين الشهيد), the final resting place of Nur al-Din Mahmoud Zenki (نور الدين محمود زنكي). His father, Amad al-Din Zenki (عماد الدین زنكي), ruled over the regions of Aleppo (ﺣﻠﺐ), Hama (حماة), Mosul (الموصل), and Edessa (modern Şanlıurfa in Turkey) as part of the Seljuq Empire …
Madrasa Abdullah al-Azem (مدرسة عبداللة العظم) was a religious school constructed in 1779 by Abdullah Basha al-Azem (عبداللة باشا العظم), member of the prominent al-Azem (العظم) family. Several members of this family held powerful positions in Syria and Lebanon during the Ottoman period. Abdullah Basha al-Azem (عبداللة باشا العظم) first served as the governor of Aleppo (حلب) beginning in 1794 and later transferred to Damascus …
Murad Basha Mosque (جامع مراد باشا) is one of the more interesting mosques located beyond the walls of the old city of Damascus (دمشق). The mosque was erected by and named after Murad Pasha, who served as the Ottoman governor of Damascus between 1568-1569. This area of the city, southwest of the old city, saw significant development during the Ottoman period as a stopover point …
al-Fathiyeh Mosque (جامع الفتحية) is a beautiful Ottoman-era mosque in the charming old city neighborhood of al-Qaimariyeh (القيمرية), popular for its coffee shops and restaurants. The mosque was constructed in 1743 under Fathi Bin Mohammed Bin Mohammed Bin Mahmoud al-Hanafi al-Qalaqansi (فتحي بن محمد بن محمد بن محمود الحنفي القلاقنسي), an Ottoman treasury official. The building follows the traditional Ottoman architectural plan. An arcaded portico …
Seidi Hisham Bin Ammar Mosque (جامع سيدي هشام بن عمار) was constructed in 1426-1427 under the Mamluk chancellor of Damascus (دمشق) at the time. The most impressive feature of this mosque is the magnificent octagonal minaret which is decorated with fine muqarnas work, arched windows on four sides, and a balcony at the top. While the minaret of this mosque is in remarkably good condition, …
al-Qalai Mosque (جامع القلعي), constructed in 1431, has one of the most impressive minarets in the old city of Damascus (دمشق). This Mamluk-era mosque has the last minaret to be built in the city utilizing the square design plan. It features elaborate decoration that includes muqarnas and several stone mosaics with geometric patterns and blue faience. The minaret is topped with a balcony and an …
al-Sibaiyeh Mosque (جامع السيبائية) is one of several interesting mosques located just southwest of the old city walls of Damascus (دمشق). The mosque was constructed at the very end of the Mamluk period (1509-1515) to commemorate Sibai, then governor of the city. Several decorative elements of this mosque were apparently appropriated by Sibai from other mosques, resulting in the popular local name of “Mosque of …
al-Ajami Mosque (جامع العجمي) was constructed in 1348 to commemorate the Persian merchant Afridun al-Ajami. It was intended as both a tomb for its founder and as a religious school. The façade follows the typical Mamluk design of alternating horizontal bands of black and white stone that was common to the period. The entryway and windows include decorative stone mosaic panels and muqarnas. The elaborate …
al-Sabuniyeh Mosque (جامع الصابونية), located just southwest of the old city walls of Damascus (دمشق), is one of several attractive mosques in the area. It was founded as a funerary endowment in 1459-1464 by a rich merchant named Shihab al-Din Ahmad Ibn al-Sabuni, and has since been used as a mosque and religious school (madrasa). The highly decorated façade includes black and white banding, a …
al-Shamiyeh Mosque (جامع الشامية), often referred to as Madrasa al-Shamiyeh (مدرسة الشامية), is an Ayyubid-era mosque and religious school constructed between 1187 and 1191 northwest of the old city of Damascus (دمشق). The tombs of several prominent figures of the Ayyubid period are located here and in the surrounding area, part of the city that was originally developed by the Ayyubids in the late 12th …
