Madrasa al-Sahibiyya (Aleppo)

Aleppo, Syria

The Madrasa al-Sahibiyya is a historic mosque-madrasa complex located in Aleppo’s Islamic city immediately east of the Khan al-Wazir on a small square adjoining the large arterial street that runs north of the Great Mosque (Shari’ al-Jami’ al-Umawi). The madrasa was originally constructed in 1363-1364/765 AH under the command of Ahmad ibn Ya’qub ibn al-Sahib. Today it is also known as Jami’ al-Fistuq (The Pistachio Mosque).

The entrance to the complex consists of a large portal vaulted with muqarnas toward the west end of the north side of the building, which faces a small square. The north façade is also notable for several carved rectangular plaques with geometric designs.

Entering the complex, one emerges onto the north side of a square courtyard, the opposite end of which is occupied by an iwan. On the east side of this courtyard is the entrance to a small domed chamber with a mihrab which gives onto the larger domed prayer hall at the east end of the complex.

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