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-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-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 …
The small al-Sheikh Raslan Mosque (جامع الشيخ رسلان), located just outside the old city gate of Bab Touma (باب توما) in Damascus (دمشق), contains the tomb of the 12th century religious leader al-Sheikh Raslan (الشيخ رسلان). The Sufi preacher was born in a village on the Euphrates river valley near the city of al-Raqqa (الرقة). He belonged to a wealthy and respected family, his father …
Turbeh Araq (تربة آراق) was constructed in 1349 as a burial place for Araq Bin Abdullah al-Salhadar (آراق بن عبد الله السلحدار), a governor of Safad (Palestine) during the Mamluk period. Located in the historic southern neighborhood of al-Midan (الميدان), the building is particularly impressive for its façade, on the eastern side of the building. The decorative stonework features turquoise faience inlay above an entry …
al-Madrasa al-Rukniyeh (المدرسة الركنية), also known as al-Rukniyeh Mosque (جامع الركنية), is a religious school and mausoleum that dates back to the Ayyubid period. The building, as well as the residential neighborhood to the northeast, is named after Rukn al-Din Mankuris al-Faliki al-Aadili (ركن الدين منكورس الفلكي العادلي). He was a servant and companion of Falik al-Din Suleiman al-Aadili (فلك الدين سليمان العادلي), who was …
al-Madrasa al-Mershadiyeh (المدرسة المرشدية) is an Ayyubid-era religious school and mausoleum located in the northern Damascus (دمشق) district of al-Salhiyeh (الصالحية). It was constructed in 1252 in honor of Khadijeh Khatoun (خديجة خاتون), the daughter of Ayyubid ruler al-Maazem Sharaf al-Din Aisa (المعظم شرف الدين عيسى). After her death in 1526, Khadijeh Khatoun (خديجة خاتون) was buried here. The complex is also known as Madrasa …
Abi al-Dardaa Mosque (جامع أبي الدرداء) is a small prayer hall built into the northern walls of the Damascus Citadel (قلعة دمشق). Inside is a tomb purported to belong to Abi al-Dardaa (أبي الدرداء). Once a wealthy merchant from Medina (Saudi Arabia), Abi al-Dardaa (أبي الدرداء) converted to Islam after the Battle of Badr. He became a companion of Mohammed (محمد), recording the revelations that …
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 …
al-Shadhbakiyeh Mosque (جامع الشاذبكية) was constructed in 1453 and named after its founder, Seif al-Din Shadhi Bek (سيف الدين شاذي بك). The complex includes his tomb and also served as a religious school. The building was restored in 1816 during the Ottoman period, and again in 1986. The entrance to the mosque, on the eastern side of the building, has a decorated façade including black …
