Saladin - Damascus, Syria
Posted by: 
Torgut
N 33° 30.728 E 036° 18.369
37S E 249779 N 3711313
I suppose Saladin needs no introduction. He is a legendary name in Muslim culture, also well known in the West due to his active interaction with the Crusades.
Waymark Code: WMDKG8
Location: Syria
Date Posted: 01/26/2012
Views: 15
I visited Saladin grave with the kind guidance of my local friend, who told me the less known tales about his life. The grave is located in the bigger mosque in Damascus (and one of the biggest in the World), the Umayyad Mosque. It is located in the upper northwest corner of it.
The mausoleum was originally built by Saladin's son in 1196, in what used to be a religious school (al-Aziziyah madrasah) but nothing remains today of it.
In 1898 the German Emperor Wilhelm II visited Damascus and was dismayed by the bad condition of the mausoleum. As a consequence of his visit and impressions, he personally financed the restoration of the mausoleum.
From Wikipedia: "The mausoleum itself is rather small and modest. The main square chamber displays ablaq walls and holds four arches capped by a cupola. Drawing on its history, the interior shows a remarkable mix of Hohenzollern, Ayyubid and Ottoman architecture. The room holds two cenotaphs. The original one, a wooden tomb, richly decorated with geometric and astral patterns, holds Saladin's body. The second one, is a marble coffin which was a gift from Emperor Wilhelm II. The mausoleum also holds another chamber which is used for Quranic recitation, and is accessible from the eastern side, in addition to five smaller rooms along the northern side of the building."
Description:
From Wikipedia: Saladin, was a Kurdish Muslim, who became the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria, and founded the Ayyubid dynasty. He led Muslim and Arab opposition to the Franks and other European Crusaders in the Levant. At the height of his power, his sultanate included Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, Kurdistan, Hejaz, and Yemen.
Date of birth: 01/01/1137
Date of death: 01/01/1193
Area of notoriety: Politics
Marker Type: Tomb (above ground)
Setting: Indoor
Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Unknown
Fee required?: Yes
Web site: [Web Link]
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