Functional and Physical Modifications

[Picture source: © 2009 Stefan Knost]

As mentioned before, the mosque has witnessed drastic interventions that have altered many of its original features. The earliest known intervention took place in 1699 when a new minaret was constructed instead of the original collapsed one according to the inscription above the minaret’s door. (Fig. 33) [15] The rebuilt minaret followed the Ottoman style with its cylindrical shaft, the balcony with a cut stone balustrade and the topping cone covered with lead tiles. (Fig. 34)

The original dome of the prayer hall collapsed in the earthquake of 1822 and was rebuilt after about 40 years in a totally new structural system. [16] (Fig. 35) The rebuilt dome sits on a drum pierced with 16 small windows. Four huge piers set directly into the prayer hall support the dome with pendentives being used as transition elements. (Fig. 36) The rest of the hall is covered by vaults. Today, the remains of the original squinches are largely hidden by the piers and their associating arches.

When the minaret fell, it is possible that the western side of the preceding portico together with the primary school, mentioned in the deed as being near the west entrance, were destroyed. The damaged bays of the portico were rebuilt later, at unknown date. The new bays are covered with cross vaults and supported by rectangular stone piers. (Fig. 13) On the façade, their cornice is a little lower than the original one. The primary school, however, was not rebuilt. In 1882, the original ablution pool was replaced by a modest square one provided with taps along its sides. [17]

By the early 20th century, the foundation’s administrator conducted several restorations which may have been necessary after the severe earthquake of 1822. He rebuilt the mausoleum of Behram Pasha in the rear garden in 1924. [18] In the following year, he built an additional prayer hall (ḥijaziyya) and ablution room along the western side of the courtyard and provided it with hot water. [19] (Fig. 37, 38) Finally, the mosque witnessed repairs and restoration works in the second half of the 2000s.  

Figure 33. The inscription above the minaret’s door [Picture source: © 2011 Lamia Jasser]
Figure 34. A general view of the rebuilt minaret [Picture source: © 2004 Rami Alafandi ]
Figure 35. A general view of the rebuilt dome above the prayer hall [Picture source: © 2007 Stefan Weber]
Figure 36. The rebuilt dome from inside [Picture source: © 2007 Stefan Weber]
Figure 37. A general view of the added sections along the western side of the courtyard [Picture source: © 2007 Stefan Weber]
Figure 38. The entrance of the ablution room with the inscription above its entrance [Picture source: © 2011 Lamia Jasser]

Footnotes

[15] Al-Tabbakh, I'lam al-Nubala’, 3:175, Al-Ghazzi, Nahr al-Dhahab, 2: 44. The reconstruction of the minaret was celebrated with an inscription composed by the poet Yahya al-Halabi al-Akkad. For the complete text of the inscription see ʿUthman, Dirasat Naqaʾish, 62.

[16] Al-Tabbakh, I'lam al-Nubala’, 3:175, Al-Ghazzi, Nahr al-Dhahab, 2: 44. According to al-Tabbakh, the   structure stood in ruins for about forty years until the foundation’s administrator sold the lead which had covered the original dome to raise funds for a new one.

[17] Al-Ghazzi, Nahr al-Dhahab, 2: 44.

[18] Al-Tabbakh, I'lam al-Nubala’, 3:176. For the complete text of the inscriptions inside the mausoleum see ʿUthman, Dirasat Naqaʾish, 63-64.

[19] Al-Tabbakh, I'lam al-Nubala’, 3:176.