Al-Khanqah al-Salahiyya Mosque

Al-Khanqah al-Salahiyya is a mosque in Jerusalem's Christian Quarter featuring a central courtyard, prayer halls, and a 15th-century minaret situated north of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Originally designed as a retreat for Sufi practice, the complex today houses prayer spaces alongside school rooms and residential chambers.

The building began as a residence for the Latin Patriarch during the Crusader period but was transformed into a mosque after Saladin's conquest of Jerusalem in 1187. The conversion into a khanqah occurred later in the 15th century, when the structure took on its purpose as a Sufi retreat center.

The mosque serves as a center for Islamic learning and Sufi spiritual practice, where visitors can observe the devotion of worshippers during prayer. One senses the continuity of religious traditions maintained here across generations.

The site is located near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's narrow Christian Quarter, so it is best reached on foot. Access may be limited during prayer times, so visitors should plan ahead and check opening hours before arriving.

The minaret of this mosque stands in a striking geometric relationship to the minaret of the Omar Mosque, with their positions aligned in such a way that they intersect the doorway to Jesus' Tomb. This arrangement is not accidental but reflects deliberate spatial planning from an earlier building period.

Location: Christian Quarter

Architectural style: Ottoman architecture

GPS coordinates: 31.77880,35.22931

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:05