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Address Hussein Al Ahdab Street, Beirut, Lebanon Similar Al‑Omari Grand Mosque, St George Maronite Cathedral, Saint George Greek Ort, Roman Baths - Beirut, Grand Serail | ||
Emir Assaf Mosque is located in downtown Beirut, Lebanon.
Contents
Overview
Emir Mansur Assaf inaugurated the mosque in 1597, on the former Serail Square that hosted Emir Fakhreddine’s palace. Post-war restoration of the mid-1990s lead to the renovation of the original western façade of the mosque.
Construction
This mosque was inaugurated by Emir Mansour Assaf in 1597, on the former Serail Square. This was the location of the Old Serail, which hosted Emir Fakhreddine’s palace and celebrated gardens. The square shape of the mosque, its five-cupola roof, the ablaq decoration of the entrance and the fine muqarnass detailing of the windows are characteristic of the Ottoman style. Gray granite Roman columns support the central dome in the mosque’s prayer hall. In 1934, the mosque’s ablution rooms were built on the west side, in alignment with the street leading to Etoile Square. Post-war restoration in the mid-1990s brought about the renovation of the original western façade of the mosque.
History
This mosque was inaugurated by Emir Mansour Assaf in 1597, on the former Serail Square. This was the location of the Old Serail, which hosted Emir Fakhreddine’s palace and celebrated gardens. There was a bath complex located opposite the mosque, and the city gate known as Bab al-Saraya. The Old Serail and the bath complex were replaced by Souk Sursock in the 1880s, while the Bab al-Saraya gate was removed in 1915 to make way for the new Foch-Allenby commercial district. The square shape of the mosque, its five-cupola roof, the ablaq decoration of the entrance and the fine muqarnass detailing of the windows are characteristic of the Ottoman style. Gray granite Roman columns support the central dome in the mosque’s prayer hall. In 1934, the mosque’s ablution rooms were built on the west side, in alignment with the street leading to Etoile Square. Post-war restoration in the mid-1990s brought about the renovation of the original western façade of the mosque.
Timeline
1597: Inauguration of the Assaf mosque by Emir Mansour Assaf.
1880s: Replacement of the Old Serail and bath complex by Souk Sursock.
1915: Removal of Bab al-Saraya gate to make way for the new Foch-Allenby commercial district.