Khan Jaqmaq

Khan Jaqmaq (Arabic: خان جقمق‎) is one of the few remaining khans in the Old City of Damascus. at the intersection of Street Called Straight and Suq Bab al-Barid, it was built and named after Mamluk Prince Sayf al-Din Jaqmaq al-Argunsawi, governor of Damascus, in 1419-1420.^[1]

Architecture

The building is a rectangular structure on two floors, accessed from the Street Called Straight by a monumental portal situated on its south façade. This portal is the oldest khan entrance in Damascus. On the east façade giving onto Suq Bab al-Barid and on the south façade flanking the portal are a series of shops of different sizes. Two shops are built into the gateway, which also has a single flight of stairs leading to the second floor. The gateway leads to the open-air courtyard, surrounded by shops on four sides, with a small fountain at the center. The second floor is composed of several rooms organized around a peripheral gallery, protected bordered by a wrought iron balustrade.^[1]

The khan, as it stands today, is occupied by a small family-run enterprise producing silk and clothes.^[1]

See also

• Khan As'ad Pasha
• Khan Sulayman Pasha
• Khan Tuman

References