Khan As'ad Pasha, Historic caravanserai and museum in the commercial district of Damascus, Syria.
Description
Khan As'ad Pasha features a square plan with a large central courtyard surrounded by 80 rooms across two floors, topped by nine distinctive domes that create an impressive architectural ensemble in the heart of Damascus's old city.
History
Constructed in 1752 by governor As'ad Pasha al-Azem during the Ottoman period, this caravanserai served as a crucial trading hub along the historic Suq al-Buzuriyyah route, facilitating commerce between Damascus and distant markets for centuries.
Culture
The building exemplifies traditional Damascene architecture with its characteristic ablaq masonry technique, featuring alternating layers of black basalt and white limestone that create decorative patterns representing the pinnacle of Syrian Islamic architectural craftsmanship.
Practical
The museum operates from Sunday to Thursday between 09:00 and 15:00, allowing visitors to explore the restored structure that now houses exhibitions while preserving its original architectural elements including the central marble pool and ornate arches.
Did you know?
This caravanserai stands out as the only khan in Damascus with eight large domes arranged around a central circular opening, each dome surrounded by 20 smaller windows that create a remarkable play of light and shadow throughout the interior courtyard.
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