Historical overview
[Picture source: © 2006 Rami Alafandi] [Picture source: © 2006 Rami Alafandi] The Jamiʿ al-Mashatiyya[1] is situated in the Mashatiyya neighborhood, part of the northeastern suburb Banqusa that stretches from Bab al-Hadid (also called Bab al-Qanat) along the main road leading eastwards. It is mentioned in the 13th century by Ibn Shaddad as one of the suburbs with a Friday mosque, meaning that is was already perceived as a separate urban entity.[2] In Ottoman times, the building density in that area certainly increased and it developed into one of the city’s economic centers with a suq and numerous khans. This development continued up to the 19th century, making that part of Aleppo the hub for activities connected with the long-distance caravan-trade and the trade with Aleppo’s eastern hinterland.[3]
