Khan As'ad Pasha (Arabic: خَان أَسْعَد بَاشَا, romanized: Khān ʾAsʿad Bāşā) is the largest caravanserai (khān) in the Old City of Damascus,[1] covering an area of 2,500 square metres (27,000 sq ft). Situated along Al-Buzuriyah Souq, it was built and named after As'ad Pasha al-Azem, the governor of Damascus, in 1751–52.[2] Khan As'ad Pasha has been described as one of the finest khans of Damascus,[3] and the most "ambitious" work of architecture in the city.[4] Throughout the Ottoman era, it hosted caravans coming from Baghdad, Mosul, Aleppo, Beirut and elsewhere in the Middle East.[5]

Architecture

Interior

The restoration of the khān won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.[6]

Gallery

  • The khān, 1836

    The khān, 1836

  • Modern art exhibit inside

    Modern art exhibit inside

  • Interior

    Interior

  • Arches and domes

    Arches and domes

  • Arches

    Arches

  • Interior

    Interior

See also

References

  1. ^ Baedeker, 1906, p.307.
  2. ^ As'ad Pasha Khan Archived 2011-08-13 at the Wayback Machine Archnet Digital Library.
  3. ^ Hillenbrand, 2004, p.355.
  4. ^ Carter, 2004, p.90.
  5. ^ Thomson, 1886, p.374.
  6. ^ As'ad Pasha Khan Restoration Archived 2009-01-06 at the Wayback Machine Archnet Digital Library.

External links

See inside the place with a virtual tour from the ministry of tourism: https://syriatourism.org/Virtual_Tours/Khan%20Assad%20Basha/

Bibliography

  • Baedeker, K. (1906). Palestine and Syria: Handbook for Travellers. Baedeker.
  • Carter, Terry; Dunston, Lara (2004). Syria & Lebanon. Lonely Planet.
  • Hillenbrand, R. (2004). Islamic Architecture: Form, Function, and Meaning. Columbia University Press.
  • Thomson, W.M. (1886). The Land and the Book: Or, Biblical Illustrations Drawn from the Manners and Customs, the Scenes and Scenery, of the Holy Land ... Harper & Brothers.

Coordinates: 33°30′33″N 36°18′24″E / 33.50917°N 36.30667°E / 33.50917; 36.30667