Site and Urban Network

The complex of Mohammed Pasha lies directly to the west of Husrev Pasha’s complex (1546) and to the south of the main thoroughfare of the historic commercial zone that extends from the Antioch Gate in the west to the citadel in the east (Fig. 2). The mosque itself was built on the peak of a small hill, known as the Hill of Aisha (Tallat ‘Aisha), which had been used by the Mamluks for military exercises. [8] As the slight rise of the hill was the highest spot in the location, the mosque took advantage of this topographical feature and gained better visibility within the dense urban fabric surrounding it (Fig. 3).

Following Ottoman design conventions for multi-unit complexes, the mosque is the central and dominant component of the complex around which the other dependencies are arranged. In fact, the surrounding dependencies provide a kind of compact buffer zone for the slightly elevated mosque. According to the trust deed, all the complex’s income-generating dependencies are commercial. It lists three khans: al-Farrayin (the Furriers), an-Nahhasin (the Coppersmiths) and al-‘Ulabiyya (the Box-makers); four suqs: al-Farrayin, an-Nahhasin, al-‘Ulabiyya and al-Jukh (the Broadcloth); and three qaysariyyas: [9] al-Farrayin, al-‘Ulabiyya and one unnamed. [10] Some structures were added later to the complex: a hospice and a guesthouse to the west of the mosque and a fourth qaysariyya to the east. [11] The hospice was taken over by the small Khan al-‘Adili, which was built by the waqf’s administrator in 1919. [12] (Fig. 4)

Footnotes

[8] Ibn al-Hanbali, Durr al-Habab, 2:1, 264.

[9] The qaysariyya is a type of commercial buildings that acquired different functions and designs according to the region and the building date. In the medieval historic accounts of Aleppo, the term was used to describe markets. From the descriptions, it seems that there were two forms of qaysariyyas. The first one was reserved for the valuable goods and consisted of shops arranged around a central courtyard, while the second one had a linear design. Those qaysariyyas maybe be distinguished from the ordinary markets probably by their greater size and by having several covered galleries, while the market consisted only of a single gallery. In the 16^th century, the qaysariyyas acquired a manufacturing function and were located close to the khans or markets that deal with the same products. Some of those qaysariyyas were free-standing structures taking the form of khans in miniature while others were embedded in grand khans and markets. They were situated on in the upper floors and took the form of distributive corridors giving way to small cells on either side. The manufacturing function of the qaysariyyas developed considerably during the 17^th and 18^th centuries, so they became large structures enclosing vast workshops and in some cases providing cheap and modest lodging for workers. For more information of the origins of qaysariyyas and their different types see Streck, Kaysariyya, 840-841.

[10] Al-Ghazzi, Nahr al-Dhahab, 2: 90-91. The third qaysariyya was the only building that al-Ghazzi did not give a name in his summary, which indicates that it was dilapidated or out of use at his time. For more information on the commercial dependencies of the complex look Kasmo, Tafi’l Dawr Wath’iq al-Arshif al-‘Uthmani, 297-302.

[11] These buildings are mentioned in an archival document dating to the early 18^th century and recording their restoration. The document was cited by Necipoğlu, The Age of Sinan, 477.

[12] Al-Tabbakh, Iʿlam al-Nubalaʾ, 3: 170 and Kasmo, Tafi’l Dawr Wath’iq al-Arshif al-‘Uthmani, 301-302.