Khan As'ad Pasha () is the largest

caravanserai A caravanserai (or caravansary; ) was an inn that provided lodging for travelers, merchants, and Caravan (travellers), caravans. They were present throughout much of the Islamic world. Depending on the region and period, they were called by a ...

() in the Old City of

Damascus Damascus ( , ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in the Levant region by population, largest city of Syria. It is the oldest capital in the world and, according to some, the fourth Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. Kno ...

, covering an area of . Situated along Al-Buzuriyah Souq, it was built and named after As'ad Pasha al-Azm, the governor of Damascus, in 1751–52.As'ad Pasha Khan
Archnet Digital Library. Khan As'ad Pasha has been described as one of the finest khans of Damascus, and the most "ambitious" work of architecture in the city.

Usage

Throughout the Ottoman era, it hosted caravans coming from

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and elsewhere in the

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. Rooms were allowed for renting by notable merchants of the time.

Architecture

The design of the khan included eight small domes and one large central opening reminiscent of Persian architecture, while the eight domes reflect Shia tradition. The covered courtyard features a high ceiling height which helped provide protection from the climate during the hot summer and cold winter seasons. The restoration of the won the

Aga Khan Award for Architecture The Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) is an architectural prize established by Aga Khan IV in 1977. It aims to identify and reward architectural concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of Muslim societies in the fie ...

.As'ad Pasha Khan Restoration
Archnet Digital Library.

Gallery

File:The Great Khan at Damascus - Carne John - 1836.jpg, The , 1836 File:Khan As'ad Pasha by Nabih Farkouh.JPG, A pendentive File:Khan Asad Pasha, Damascus.jpg, Interior courtyard File:Damascus, Syria, Khan As'ad Pasha Roof.jpg, Arches

References

Bibliography

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External links

* See inside the place with a

virtual tour A virtual tour is a simulation of an existing location, usually composed of a sequence of videos, still images or 360-degree images. It may also use other multimedia elements such as sound effects, music, narration, text and floor map. The phras ...