In the heart of the Syrian capital Damascus, near the famous Baramkeh Street, stands one of the most iconic Ottoman architectural landmarks in the Levant — Al-Takkiyah Al-Sulaymaniyah Mosque, commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1554 CE.
What Is a “Takkiyah”?
Before diving into the history of this remarkable structure, it’s essential to understand the term “Takkiyah”. Linguistically, it derives from the Arabic verb ittaka’ — to lean or rest. In an Islamic context, a takkiyah was a place of spiritual retreat, where people engaged in worship, remembrance circles (dhikr), or found shelter as travelers or wayfarers, without obligation or cost.
Unlike khanqahs (formal Sufi lodges), the takkiyah was more flexible and informal — not a mosque, nor a madrasa, but more like a Sufi resting lodge accessible to all, especially the poor, the seekers, and the spiritually inclined.
According to TRT, takkiyahs existed from the Seljuk, Ayyubid, and Mamluk eras under names like “khanqah,” but they flourished most under the Ottoman Empire, becoming a symbol of Ottoman care for the spiritual and social needs of society. They served Sufis, dervishes, the poor, and travelers, often providing free food, shelter, and care.
Famous Takkiyahs in the Ottoman World
Some notable takkiyahs include:
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- Khan Galata Mevlevi Lodge (1491) in Istanbul
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- The Naqshbandi Uzbek Takkiyah
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- Takkiyat Hasirizadeh, Ayni Baba, Turba Khanah, and Mevlevi Takkiyah in Konya, where Jalaluddin Rumi is buried
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- The Takkiyah al-Sulaymaniyah in Istanbul, which closely resembles the Damascus one
The Damascus Takkiyah – A Multi-Functional Complex
Al-Takkiyah Al-Sulaymaniyah in Damascus is more than a mosque. It comprises a masjid, a museum, a traditional handicrafts market, and a madrasa.
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent ordered its construction in 1554 CE, on the ruins of the historic Qasr al-Ablaq (Palace of Al-Zahir Baybars), which had been destroyed by Timur during his invasion of the city. The complex was completed in 1559 CE.
The chief architect was the famous Mimar Sinan from the Ottoman Empire, assisted by local Damascene architect Shihab al-Din Ahmad ibn al-Attar.
A Dream of the Prophet ﷺ Inspires the Mosque
According to Islam Story, the story of this mosque is deeply spiritual. It is said that Sultan Suleiman saw the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in a dream while in his garden. The Prophet ﷺ indicated a site and instructed him to build a mosque there. Upon waking, the Sultan began construction immediately, establishing the Takkiyah Al-Sulaymaniyah in Damascus.
The mosque’s strategic location along a major trade route made it a key resting stop for pilgrims journeying from Asia to the Arabian Peninsula.
Until the late 1960s, Turkish pilgrims traveling overland would stop at the Takkiyah on their way to and from Hajj. Many would visit the tombs of Ottoman sultans buried there. For them, visiting Damascus was considered a spiritual complement to their pilgrimage, referring to it affectionately as Sham Sharif.
Following the Syrian uprising, the Ministry of Tourism closed off several rooms in the complex, including those leading to the tomb of Sultan Mehmed VI.
Architectural Features of the Takkiyah
According to Islamic Art sources, Mimar Sinan designed the Takkiyah in two main sections:
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- The Greater Takkiyah (Western Wing): Contains the main mosque and a madrasa
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- The Smaller Takkiyah (Eastern Wing): Often mistakenly referred to as “Takkiyah Salimiyyah,” includes a prayer hall, a large courtyard surrounded by arcades and domed rooms. The full area of the Takkiyah is about 11,000 square meters.
The main mosque is located in the southern section of the courtyard. It is square-shaped (16 meters per side), preceded by two porticoes, and features twin minarets. Along the mosque’s outer courtyard are rows of small rooms, and across from it are two dining halls, each roofed with fourteen domes.
The mosque’s external façades are constructed using alternating layers of white and black stone, forming a striking striped pattern — a hallmark of Damascene and Ottoman architecture.
The Tombs of Ottoman Sultans
Several Ottoman sultans and royal family members are buried within the Takkiyah complex. Their mausoleums still stand today and continue to receive visits from Turkish dignitaries and descendants of the sultans. The tombs are located in the southern part of the compound, flanking the mosque.
The Takkiyah Al-Sulaymaniyah remains a powerful testament to Ottoman Islamic architecture, spiritual heritage, and Damascus’ role as a historical hub for Islamic culture and pilgrimage. Built in devotion and inspired by a dream of the Prophet ﷺ, it continues to echo the faith, art, and generosity of its era.
