The most important monument in Damascus (دمشق), and perhaps the entire country, is the magnificent Umayyad Mosque (الجامع الاموي). No single historic site symbolizes the rich and varied cultural heritage of Syria as does this remarkable mosque. It has served as a place of worship continuously for several millennia, a holy place for over a thousand years even prior to the arrival of Islam. While …
Located in the northwest corner of the old city, the Damascus Citadel (قلعة دمشق) was first fortified under Turkmen warlord Aziz Bin Awaq al-Khawarzami (ازيز بن أوق الخوارزمي) in 1076. It was not completed during his reign, but under subsequent ruler Abu Said Taj al-Dawleh Tatash al-Seljuqi (أبو سعيد تاج الدولة تتش السلجوقي). The citadel was expanded and modified several times in the following centuries, …
al-Madrasa al-Zahiriyeh (المدرسة الظاهرية) is an impressive Mamluk-era religious school constructed to serve as the mausoleum of al-Zahir Rukn al-Din Baibars al-Bandaqdari (الظاهر ركن الدين بيبرس البندقداري). Baibars (بيبرس) was born in 1223 and first came to prominence as a commander of Mamluk armed forces. He was instrumental in the defeat of the Seventh Crusade of Louis IX of France and, a decade later, the …
Beit al-Aqad (بيت العقاد) is a beautifully restored Damascene house formerly owned by a wealthy family of textile merchants. It currently houses the Danish Institute, which opened in 2000 and focuses on the study of Arab and Islamic culture and on the strengthening cultural ties between Denmark and the Arab world. Elements of the residence date as far back as the Roman period, with the …
al-Madrasa al-Jaqmaqiyeh (المدرسة الجقمقية) is a beautiful Mamluk-era religious school that now houses the Museum of Arabic Calligraphy (متحف الخط العربي). The building was constructed between 1419 and 1421 under the rule of Seif al-Din Jaqmaq al-Arghunshawi (سيف الدين جقمق الأرغونشاوي), then governor of Damascus (دمشق). He would later become the eleventh Mamluk Sultan of Cairo (Egypt), where he ruled from 1438 until 1453. He …
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 …
