Bab al-Faraj

Bab al-Faraj

Overview:

• It is located on the northern side of the city wall, between Al-Asroniya and Al-Manakhliya, so it is sometimes called “Bab Al-Manakhliya”, and it is called also “Bab Al-Bawabjia” because there are two markets for making bawabej (something like the shoes).

• It is an Islamic Gate, located in the north of Damascus, west of Bab Al-Faradis.

• It was built by Nur al-Din Zengi during the years of his rule (549-569 AH), i.e. it is from the Atabeg era.

• It was called “Bab al faraj” because people found in it the faraj (Deliverance), shortening the distance in entering and leaving the city.

Architectural description:

• Bab al Faraj is currently double:

• The interior is adjacent to the wall, its left jamb has an inscription dating Ramadan 639 AH when it was renewed by the Ayyubid king, Al Malik Al Salih Ayyub. The gate is 381 cm high and 305 cm wide. The Directorate of Antiquities restored it.

• The exterior is adjacent to the Barada River. It was rebuilt in the 15th century during the Mamluk period. It is large and rectangular, with a threshold and obliterated writing above it.

• In front of the gate there are two jambs, topped by an arch that has fallen from its place, and on each of the jambs there is a Mamluk emblem in which a lily flower was engraved, and it was the emblem of Nur al-Din.

• Saif al-Din Abi Bakr bin Ayyub renewed Bab al-Faraj in 606 AH.

• In front of the exterior gate there was Bab Al-Faraj Bridge on the Barada River, built during the Mamluk days in 736 AH, and besides the exterior gate, there is Bab Al-Faraj Mosque and above its entrance there was a royal decree.

• Between the exterior and interior gate there is Bab Al-Faraj mill, and its northern and western walls are from the body of the wall itself, and it has targets for arrows.

Resources:

discover-syria website

lovedamascus website

olddamas website

syrianmodernhistory website

The website of the Syrian Ministry of Tourism

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