Dictionary of islamic architecture

part is the open-sided porch, roofed with a
complex folded cross vault, with alternate stones
painted red to resemble ablaq.
Elsewhere within the Haram various sebils,
tombs and monuments were erected. One of the
most beautiful of these is the Sebil Qaitbay (built
in 1482) which consists of a small three-tiered
structure. The tallest part is the square base (about
5 m high), above which is a complex zone of
transition (about 2 m), surmounted by a tall dome
(about 3.5 m high). The exterior of the dome is
carved in low relief with arabesque designs and
resembles the carved masonry domes of
mausoleums in Cairo, although the form of the
carving suggests local workmanship.
One of the most productive reigns was that of
Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad during which time the
Suq al-Qattinin was built. This is the largest Mamluk
complex in Jerusalem and consisted of over fifty
shops with living quarters above, two bath houses
and a khan.
Characteristic features of Mamluk architecture in
Jerusalem include ablaq masonry in a variety of
colours (black, yellow, white and red), muqarnas
used in corbels, squinches and zones of transition,
joggled voussoirs used for supporting arches,
composite lintels and relieving arches.
Ottoman Period
One of the best-known buildings of Jerusalem is the
Damascus Gate with its monumental bent entrance,
crenellated parapet, machicolations, arrow slits and
inscriptions. It forms part of the city wall erected by
Suleyman the Magnificent between 1538 and 1541.
This was one of the many building projects begun
in Jerusalem at this time to renew the city’s
infrastructure and demonstrate that Jerusalem was
now part of the Ottoman Empire. By the end of
Suleyman’s reign the population of Jerusalem had
grown to three times its size at the beginning.
Another project initiated during this period was the
covering of the outside of the Dome of the Rock with
Iznik tiles. This took a period of at least seven years
during which several techniques of tiling were used,
including cut tilework, cuerda seca, polychrome
underglaze, and blue and white underglaze. Also
during this period the water system of the city was
overhauled with repairs carried out to the Birket al-
Sultan and Solomon’s pools. Within the city this was
reflected in the erection of a series of sebils (drinking
fountains).
The later Ottoman period in Jerusalem has not
been studied in any detail although a number of
inscriptions refer to repairs and rebuilding. During
the nineteenth century new suburbs grew up around
the old city and there was increased European
influence in the architecture.