Letter K
204. Kitte, al- / Kittih | الكِتِّة
Jerash Governorate
Masjid al-‘Umari
JADIS no. 221 8029
MEGA no.11398
Coordinates: 32°16'33.5"N 35°50'39.4"E
32.275972, 35.844278
Plan: broad rectangular; the interior is divided by four pillars in two naves running parallel to S qibla wall. In the present condition only the central and W bays are preserved and covered by cross vaults. The central bay of the S nave has a dome. The E bays are destroyed and have been replaced in 1984 by an annexed trapezoid room with new windows and with a flat concrete roof. The present entrances are in the E. At this side, the mosque has been enlarged in recent time by an additional external prayer hall covered with a metal sheet roof. The doorways into the original mosque consist of two irregular arches spanning from N to S. The transition from the square bay to the circular dome is achieved by kite shaped shield quenches in the corners (fig. 204.12).
Measurements: Total area of old mosque 70 m2.
Exterior: ca. 12.30 x 13.90 m (old part only)
Interior: unknown.
Building Materials: irregular cubic limestones constructed in horizontal courses with mortar bondage. The W and N exterior elevations have been recently plastered. The interior displays various layers of painted or whitewashed wall plaster. The plaster of the dome has been painted turquoise inside and dark green outside.
Construction details: To the N, the N nave has two rectangular barrel vaulted recesses (fig. 204.11) instead of cross vaulted bays.
Preservation: The central and W bays of the two aisled mosque are preserved as well as the W and N exterior walls. Along these elevations the original foundation masonry, partly protruding to the exterior, appears under the fallen plaster in some sectors (fig. 204.15). In the E enlarged by an E annex replacing the original E cross vaulted bays and an additional exterior prayer hall in 1984 (fig. 204.2). The roof is covered by a modern concrete slab; still used for Muslim prayer.
Inscription(s): none known
Date(s): constructed on the foundations of a Byzantine church. Umayyad? with Mamluk and later restorations. The mosque has been refurbished and enlarged in 1984.
Traveler Reports: none known.
Bibliography: Mittmann 1970, 104 no. 272; Hanbury - Tenison 1987, 157; Daire 1988, 82 s.v. el-Kitteh; Khateb 2020, 129-130 no. 7 figs.104 106. Web Site: https://ar.Wikipedia,org/wiki/المسجد_العمري_(الكتة).
