Khan As’ad PashaKhan As’ad PashaRestoring Heritage

Discover the majesty of Khan Asaad Pasha, the largest caravanserai in Old Damascus. Built in 1751 and declared a historical landmark in 1973, this architectural marvel has undergone significant reconstruction, holding centuries of history within its walls. Today, the Khan serves as a vibrant cultural center in Damascus. Visitors are invited to explore its historical significance, peruse traditional crafts, and revel in cultural performances. The Khan provides an immersive experience where visitors can deeply connect with the rich heritage of Damascus and Syria.

Khan As’ad Pasha, the largest caravanserai in the Old City of Damascus, spans 2,500 square meters. Constructed and named after the Ottoman governor As’ad Pasha al-Azm, it is celebrated as one of Damascus’s finest and most ambitious architectural works. The term “Khan,” originating from Persian, means palace or house. In the Ottoman era, khans functioned as combined hotels and markets, with ground floors hosting caravans and goods and upper floors providing rooms for overnight stays.

Declared a historical landmark on April 5, 1973, the Khan saw the evacuation of its merchants. In 1833, French poet Alphonse de Lamartine extolled its beauty in Voyage en Orient. In 2003, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent envoys, including architect Bernard Fonquernie, to assess archaeological sites. Fonquernie, working with the Syrian Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, confirmed through experiments that no stone dome existed at the center of the Khan. In 2003-2004, discussions between the Japanese Embassy and the Syrian Directorate of Museums considered transforming Khan As’ad Pasha into a Natural History Museum. However, the concept was ultimately deemed incompatible with the building’s historical significance and grandeur.

Damascus, with a history dating back to 5,000 BC, has evolved significantly over millennia. Under the Arameans in the mid-second millennium BC, the city began to take its shape. Hellenistic and Roman rule later introduced geometric patterns still evident today. The city’s layout transformed with the end of the Byzantine period and the arrival of Islam, leading to snarrow streets and organic forms. The Great Arab Revolution in 1916 liberated Syria from Ottoman rule, but French occupation followed. In 1925, the Great Syrian Revolt caused significant damage to the Old City due to French bombings, and neglect during the French Mandate led to decay. Syria regained independence in 1946. In 1979, the Ancient City of Damascus was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which boosted restoration efforts, including those for Khan As’ad Pasha.

The Khan, a two-story stone building with domes and vaults, covers about 2,500 square meters. It includes 58 rooms and a 100-square-meter courtyard. Restoration began after its evacuation in 1979, led by the Department of Museums and Antiquities, aiming to transform it into an arts and crafts center. Delays arose from a dispute with the Ministry of Tourism, which wanted it converted into a luxury hotel. Restoration, initially mishandled by the Military Housing Establishment, faced further setbacks but resumed after the Khan was locked and barricaded. By 2003, the courtyard floor and interior domes were restored, and the Khan reopened in 2005 as an exhibition space for young artists and traditional artifacts, enhancing its cultural role in Damascus.

The Khan’s layout includes a central hall with surrounding rooms and four pillars meant to support nine domes. After an earthquake caused two domes to collapse, and the central dome remaining unbuilt, engineers replaced the roofs and added two new domes while preserving the original design. The main hall’s pillars faced severe damage and required temporary support with columns and steel beams. This allowed the restoration team to rebuild the pillars using reinforced concrete, finished with ashlar to match the original limestone and granite. In the internal courtyard, paving stones were replaced, with only some of the old pavement preserved. The floor was raised and covered with polished basalt stones. Drawings from the old floors were replicated to maintain the Khan’s historical significance.

Today, Khan As’ad Pasha serves as a cultural center, hosting art exhibitions, cultural events, seminars, conferences, and workshops. Visitors can enjoy historical tours, architectural appreciation, souvenir shopping, cultural performances, and dining experiences within its historic setting. Educational programs on traditional crafts, cooking, and calligraphy further enrich the visitor experience, making Khan As’ad Pasha a vibrant hub of Damascus’s rich heritage.