ا سواق والخانات. Souks, Khans and Hammams

Transcription

1 ا سواق والخانات والحم امات Souks, Khans and Hammams Tripoli s souks (markets), khans (inns or caravanserais) and hammams (baths) are witnesses to this city s past economic prosperity, and its construction boom. The souk is still a hub of growing commercial activities, and while some of its khans (e.g., the Taylors Inn and Egyptians Inn) have been turned into hotels for merchants visiting commercial stores and handicraft shops, the marketplace itself has preserved its old infrastructure made up of one long, almost straight, main market that traverses the old city from one end to the other. Smaller souks branch out of this main avenue, each bearing the name of its profession or craft; we have souks for the ironsmiths, and perfumers, cloth merchants, shoemakers, goldsmiths, coppersmiths, auctioneers, weavers (cloth and 101

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3 Tripoli old souks are made-up of a main souk and a network of internal souks which is the basis of the local economy. From Souk Al-Haddadeen and Souk Al-Attareen - the most beautiful old souks where some old shops are still preserved - to Souk Al-Bazerkan, Souk Al-Sayyagheen at the northern end. The souks extend further to incorporate Souk Al-Nahhaseen and Burkat Al-Mallaha (Al-Mallaha Pool), dating from the Ali River, lie Souk Al-Silah and Souk Al-Qameh in Bab Al- Tabbana. Souks 103

4 Souk Al-Attareen in Old Tripoli 104

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7 Sweets at Bab Al-Tabbana 107

8 Vegetable Market in Old Tripoli 108

9 Fish Market at Al-Mina 109

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11 The Tarbi a Markets in Old Tripoli 111

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13 Souk Al-Nahhaseen in Old Tripoli 113

14 Textiles in Souk Al-Bazerkan 114

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17 Souk Al-Sayyagheen in Old Tripoli 117

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19 Most khans were built in the Mamluk era which dates back to Crusader times, and Khan Al-Saboon (Soap Market), which dates back to Ottoman times. Khans welcomed visitors from across the Arab world and the auctions and sales that took place there made them a center of economic and commercial activity. for storing and preserving goods, and the upper one having bedrooms and other traveler amenities. At the khan s center is a spacious courtyard, in the middle of which is a pool of water, and each khan has a large iron-plated Tamathily) were used as military barracks. Khans 119

20 120. Khan Al-Khayateen (Taylors Inn) Khan Al-Khayateen is located on the left bank of the Abu Ali River (Qadisha River), next to Hammam Ezzedin (Ezzedin Bath), in front of Khan Al-Masriyeen. Its name indicates the profession practiced by its inhabitants. The khan was built in the fourteenth century A.D., though the ruins found at its western gate go back to the Byzantine merchandise and an upper one to accommodate travelers.

21 Tailor in front of his shop in Souk Al-Khayateen 121

22 ٢ ١١٠٠٠. Souk Al-Haraj (Auction Market) meter surface area, is similar in design to other khans, comprising shops and a long street expanding from its southern to its northern end. But contrary to other khans, the central courtyard is covered with domes that together form an umbrella resting on two main columns. Like all the other buildings from the same period, the khan was built with plaster-covered sandstone. Historians have disagreed on the construction date of the khan. While some believe that it was built during the Mamluk period, others refer it to the Crusader period. 122

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24 124 ١٥٢٠ ٢ ٥٨٥ ١٥٦٦ Khan Al-Saboon (Soap Inn) Khan Al-Saboon lies at the heart of the old town, at the northern end of Souk Al-Sayyagheen. It was built by the Ottoman 1520 and The khan s surface area is 585 square meters and it is 5 meters high. It was a military khan before it became a soap factory. The khan s gate is made of iron-plated wood, and its central courtyard has a large rectangular pool.

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27 Very few of Tripoli s many historic hammams survive today. Over and above their main function, namely bathing and cleaning, hammams were the cultural, architectural gathering and entertainment centers. However, with progress and changes in people s social habits, the role of the hammam and people s need for it gradually diminished. Today hammams, as well as their building and architectural styles, are a symbol of a rich cultural and human heritage that ought to be preserved and cherished for its historical Hammams 127

28 The interior of Hammam Al-Abed 128

29 ١٧١٨ Hammam Al-Abed (Bath of the Slave) Hammam Al-Abed is located on the western side of Khan Al-Saboon, and can be accessed through two different alleyways: the main passageway Madrasah Al-Tuwayshiyat. A document dating from the year 1718 indicates Foundation (Religious Endowment). It was named Hammam Al-Abed after a slave who worked there and avenged his master (the hammam s owner), who was killed by one of the area s residents. The central fountain in the internal courtyard of the Hammam 129

30 The exterior of the Hammam s ceiling 130

31 The alleyway leading to Hammam Al-Abed 131

32 ١٧٤٠ ٢ ٦٠٠. Hammam Al-Jadeed (New Hammam) of the old town, near the Al-Mu allaq Mosque and various other baths. It was built during the Mamluk period in 1740 by Asaad Pasha Al-Athm to receive the residents of Tripoli. The hammam, which is 600 square meters, is distinguished by its artefacts and architectural creativity, both internal and external. 132

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