Publication Date
46-654/ 48-1256
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Record ID
monument;ISL;sy;Mon01;9;ar
Library Location
Al-Madares Neighborhood, Salhiya, Damascus, Syria
Date
46-654/ 48-1256
Notes
Bimaristan is a Persian word that means hospital. Bimaristan al-Qaymari was founded by Sayf al-Din al-Qaymari in the year 646/1248. He was a prince known for his courage in combat, and he died fighting the Crusaders in Nablus in the year 654/1256. The construction of this large hospital in the Salihiyya neighborhood indicates the degree of urban development of the region and the extent of independence it had achieved since its founding in the middle of the fifth/eleventh century. Bimaristan al-Qaymari has continued to be used as a hospital until the present time. The plan of Bimaristan al-Qaymari was influenced by the plan of Bimaristan Nur al-Din, which was built in 548/1154 inside the city. The plan is square, with four central courtyards, each of which has entrances to other rooms. The entrance to Bimaristan is entirely built in the ablaq method, that is, alternating colored courses, and has a decorated arch. The façade stones are square while the stones that make up the arch are curved in shape. The portal is crowned with a luxurious maqran, and three lines of inscriptions in calligraphy give information about the builder, the supervisor, and the method of financing the bimaristan. Most of the plaster decorations in the southern iwan have remained until today, including the medallions. Around the three walls of the iwan is elegant inscription in naskh script that repeats the testimony. As for the floral decorations intertwined between the letters, they are of a high degree of perfection, and include lotus flowers in addition to other elements in the Chinese style. This type of decoration reveals the beginning of the transition from Ayyubid austerity to the extravagant Mamluk style. Given the role of beautiful views and panoramic views in accelerating the healing process, all rooms of the Bimaristan facing south were provided with windows overlooking the city of Damascus and the Salihiyya Gardens.
Sample Text
Abd al-Razzaq Moaz, Zena Takieddine “Bimaristan Al-Qaymari” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;ISL;sy;Mon01;9;ar