Location of Waqf of Ibshir Mustafa Pasha in Aleppo
The Waqf of Ibshir Mustafa Pasha (AR: وقف ابشير باشا) is a sizeable 17th century endowment complex built by wazirIpshir Mustafa Pasha in 1652 who was then governor of Aleppo. It has been described as of the largest and most interesting building complexes to be erected in Aleppo during Ottoman times.
Background
Part of facade of the Waqf of Ibshir Mustafa Pasha ComplexThe coffee room interior after restoration
The Ibshir Mustafa Pasha Waqf complex is one of a number of notable historic structures built in 17th century Aleppo.[1] The complex included a khan, three qaysariyya, textile looms and dye workshop, a souk, bread ovens, a sebil and a coffee-house noted for its fine decorations.[2][3] The qaysariyyas in this area of Aleppo specialized in textile manufacturing. They were active until the late 20th century.
The Bahram Pasha waqf hammam's lies in an adjacent building. They provided a shared 'public' space and commercial opportunity for local Christian and Muslim inhabitants and led to its neighbourhood of Al-Jdayde to become Aleppo's second economic centre.[4][5][6] Aleppo's Beit Ghazaleh and Beit Ajikbash museums lie adjacent to the waqf complex.[4]
The coffeehouse hall of the waqf complex of Ibshir Mustafa Pasha is one of the largest non-commercially used spaces of Ottoman Aleppo.[2]
Recent developments
View over the waqf complex of Ibshir Pasha and Bahram PashaHammam taken in September 2017
The complex suffered damage from street fighting and intermittent shelling throughout Syria's civil war. In particular, a series of underground explosions that occurred in April 2015 devastated the building and surrounding area.[7][8][9] The elaborate facade of the hall of the coffee-house, as well as its first row of vaults, were destroyed during the war.[8]
^Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums & Aga Khan Trust for Culture (2019). [Draft] PLAN OF RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY OF THE ANCIENT CITY OF ALEPPO Strategy and Proposed Restoration Projects. p. 194.
