Madrasas (Theological Schools) in Tripoli

Abi alNasr alYafi Madrassa

Location: elMina at alIslam Bazaar
Alternative name: alArreef Madrassa
Commissioned by: Unknown
Date of construction: Unknown
Historical period: Unknown
Characteristics: Abi alNasr alYafi Madrassa is probably an Ottoman monument that is unused. It’s Imam was Abou alNasr Mustafa ben Mohammed alYafi - 1350 H.

Ajamiyah Madrassa

A tight alley near the Ajamiyah madrassa. One person can barely pass in this street at one time.

Location: Mahaterah district
Surface area: 45 m2
Commissioned by: Mr. Mohammed Soukkar
Date of construction: 766 H/1364 CE
Historical period: Mameluke
Characteristics: On top of the western gate of the madrasa there are historical inscriptions. On top of the southern window there are Qur’anic inscriptions. Inside the school there is a tomb decorated with inscriptions of the Kursi verses from the Holy Qur’an. The monument is currently used as a prayer place.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Ashrafiyah Madrassa

Location: Mahaterah district
Commissioned by: A member of the Ashrafi family
Restored by: Mohammed Shareef alRifai’
Date of restoration: 1292 H/1881 CE
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: The Ashrafiyah Madrassah is used as a dwelling, and a historical inscription exists on its gate.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Bshennatiyah Madrassa

Location: Akabat alHamrawi district
Commissioned by: Unknown
Date of construction: Unknown
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: The Bshennatiyah Madrassa was restored in 1390 H/1970 CE. It includes the tomb of the Mujahid Hasan alBshennati, who fought against the Crusades.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Dabbousiyah Madrassa

Location: Defterdar-Dababisah district
Surface area: 58 m2
Commissioned by: Dabbousi family
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: The Dabbousiyah Madrassah was announced as vakif by Plgrm. Ali alHosni alKazimi in 1139 H. Transformed as a dwelling and its dome remained untouched.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Dahhan Madrassa

Location: Sayyagheen bazaar (facing the Tuwayshiyah Madrassah)
Commissioned by: Unknown (attributed to Sh. Mohammed alDahhan)
Date of construction: Unknown
Historical period: Mameluke
Characteristics: The Dahhan Madrassa has a zig-zag entrance, a beautiful dome lobed from the inside. This school is currently unused.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Dayem Allah Madrassa

Location: Haddadeen district
Commissioned by: Sh. Ahmad Sibt Alsheikh Ibrahim, known as Ibn AbdelDayem
Date of construction: Before 1154 H/1741 CE
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: Demolished and needs reconstruction.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Dubbaha (Baha'a) Madrassa & Mosque

The plaque referring to the restoration of the mosque in year 1163 H/1570 CE by Ahmed ben Mustafa Barawanah.

The tombs of the Nakshabandiyah order followers in the mosque area.

Location: Near Sidi AbdelWahed mosque
Surface area: 200 m2
Commissioned by: Unknown
Date of construction: Unknown
Reconstructed by: Ahmed ben Mustafa Barawanah
Date of reconstruction: 1163 H/1570 CE
Second reconstruction by: Abdullah alBaha’a alHalabi
Date of second reconstruction: 1234 H/1819 CE
Historical period: Mameluke/Ottoman
Characteristics: The Dubbaha Mosque was reconstructed several times, it was enlarged and a pulpit was installed in the 1970s CE. Historically, it was a part of the Prince Taynal vakif. It includes several tombs of religious leaders and followers of the Nakshabandiyah order.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Habbak Madrassa

Location: Mahaterah district
Commissioned by: Plgrm. Ahmed alHabbak
Date of construction: Before 1237 H/1821 CE
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: The Habbak Madrassa is at present neglected and unused.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Al-Sheikh Al-Hindi Madrassa

Al-Sheikh Al-Hindi Madrassa was constructed in the 4th H Century/ 14th Century CE.

Homsi Madrassa

Location: Tarbi’ah district
Commissioned by: Prince Alamuddine Sanjar alHomsi
Date of construction: Sometime after 724 H/1324 CE
Historical period: Mameluke
Characteristics: The Homsiyah Madrassa is almost rectangular in shape. It has a simple construction with a water fountain at the southern side.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Houjeyjiyyah Madrassa & Mosque

Location: Nahhaseen Bazaar (Roumannah district)
Surface area: 282 m2
Commissioned by: Unknown
Date of construction: Unknown
Historical period: Mameluke/Ottoman
Characteristics: The Houjayjiyyah Mosque includes a rectangular bridge-minaret with Crusades and Romantic motifs. Its surface area changed in the 1970s CE and a pulpit was installed.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Jaweesh Madrassa

Location: Nouri district
Commissioned by: Ahmed Agha alJaweesh
Date of construction: Unknown
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: The Jaweesh Madrassa was transformed to a jewelry shop. Its dome and mihrab -sanctuary- remain untouched.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

al-Khatouniyah Madrassa

The current situation of the Khatouniyah Madrassa (2002).

Location: Haddadeen (Saff alBilat) district
Surface area: 277 m2
Commissioned by: Ezzedine Aydemur alAshrafi and his wife Arghoun Khatoun
Date of construction: 773 H/1371 CE
Historical period: Mameluke
Characteristics: On the portal of the madrassa exists the longest inscription of a vakif dated 775 H/1377 CE. On the facade are many "glass" renks (mottos) and inside a tomb is present. The monument is currently not used.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Inscriptions above the portal of the Khatouniyah Madrassa.

Kouriyah Madrassa

Location: Haddadeen district
Commissioned by: Sh. Mahmoud Kouriayh
Date of construction: Before 1233 H/1817 CE
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: It is unused.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

el-Mahmoudiyah Madrassa

Location: Haddadeen district, near the Mu’allaq Mosque
Commissioned by: Ali Agha Nazer alMahmoudiyah
Date of construction: 975 H/1567 CE
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: The Mahmoudiyah Madrassah is currently unused. On the portal, a historical inscription exists. At present, is is a part of the Ouwaysiyah Mosque/Complex.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Mardaniyah Madrassa

Location: El-Mina at the center of the vegetables market (alIslam bazaar)
Commissioned by: Prince Ala’eddin Aydeghmosh alMardani alAshraf
Date of construction: 707 H/1307 CE
Historical period: Mameluke
Characteristics: The Mardaniyah Madrassa can be accessed by going up few stairs. It is made of two storeys constructed on top of some shops. It includes a huge column, and a white marble on top of its portal carrying historical inscriptions and the "glass" renk (motto). It is used as a mosque since 1985 and overlooks the northern road of el-Mina, close to the sea.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Mash'had Madrassa

Location: Nouri district near the Mansouri Great Mosque
Commissioned by: Unknown
Date of construction: Estimated to be in the 8th century H/14th century CE
Historical period: Mameluke
Characteristics: The Mash’had Madrassah has a colorfully decorated portal that is the most elaborate of Mameluke madrassas in Tripoli. The walls carry lots of marble decorations, Qur’anic inscriptions, and the renk (motto) of "glass". Inside it, there is the tomb of Sheik alHindi.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Naml Madrassa

Location: Sayyagheen bazaar
Commissioned by: Unknown
Date of construction: Unknown
Historical period: Mameluke
Characteristics: Its commissioner and date of construction are unknown. The eastern portal of The Naml Madrassa and the wall on top contain lots of muqarnas and decorations. During the first half of the 2th Century CE, it was the abode of the Islamic Law Court. The school is currently unused.
Proprietor: Private property

Qadioglu Madrassa

Location: Kindarjiyah bazaar (Roumannah district)
Surface area: 62 m2
Commissioned by: Judge Khalil, famous as Ibn Qadi Oghlu
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: The Qadi Oglu Madrassa is currently used as a mosque.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Omariyyah Madrassa

Location: Haddadeen district
Commissioned by: Fatima alOmariyah
Date of construction: Unknown
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: Demolished and unused.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Qadi Omar Madrassa

Location: Tabbanah district
Commissioned by: Judge Omar alDouroubi
Date of construction: Before 1264 H/1848 CE
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: Qadi Omar Madrassa was destroyed in 1405 H/1985 CE along with a nearby water fountain. This monument needs urgent reconstruction.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Qadiriyah Madrassa

Location: Hadeed gate
Surface area: 195 m2
Commissioned by: Probably commissioned by Prince Aytemush alBejasi
Date of construction: 8th century H/14th century CE
Historical period: Mameluke
Characteristics: The Qadiriyah Madrassah is the second largest madrassa in Tripoli after Qartawiyyah. It has two gates, the eastern one has splendidly decorated inscriptions and two seats (mastaba) on the sides. Next to the school is a tomb dated 769 H/1367 CE. In the 1970s CE, a pulpit was added to the school. At present, this place is used as a small mosque.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Rajabiyah Madrassa

Location: Haddadeen (Dababisah) district
Commissioned by: Rajab ben Yousef alLababidi
Date of construction: 1093 H/1682 CE
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: The Rajabiyah Madrassah includes the tomb of Rajab Rafi Bakhour which exhibits Qur'anic inscriptions.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Sabbagh Madrassa

Location: Attareen bazaar - real estate number 47, Mahaterah
Commissioned by: Unknown
Date of construction: Unknown
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: Sabbagh Madrassa was transformed to a shop for shoes selling. The Sabbagh Madrassa includes the tomb of Sh. Sabbagh. Its dome remains untouched.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Sabsabiyah Madrassa

Location: Suwaykah -Akabat alHamrawi- district
Commissioned by: Unknown
Date of construction: Before 1088 H/1677 CE
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: Sabsabiyah Madrassa is at present unused and includes the tomb of Plgrm. AbdulKader ben Ahmed alHalawani ibn AbdulRahmen alSabsabi.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Shamsiyah Madrassa

Location: Nouri district
Surface area: 140 m2
Commissioned by: Judge Shamseddine Ahmed ben Atiyyah alIskandari
Date of construction: 697 H/1298 CE
Historical period: Mameluke
Characteristics: It has two gates. On top of the western gate is a cushioned arch. Inside, there is the tomb of Judge Iskandari and two others from the Sonayni Mawlawi family. At present, it is abandoned.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli
Related links: The Iskandari house

Shouhadaa Madrassa

Location: Hadeed Gate
Surface area: 112 m2
Commissioned by: Unknown
Date of construction: Unknown
Historical period: Mameluke
Characteristics: The Shouhadaa Madrassa used to include tombs of martyrs from Tripoli who were executed by Ibrahim Pasha ibn Mohammed Ali. The Shouhadaa Madrassa is currently used as a sports club. It needs to be restored.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Tabshi Madrassa

Location: Haddadeen district
Comissioned by: Sh. Mahmoud Kouriayh
Date of construction: Before 1253 H/1837 CE
Historical period: Ottoman
Characteristics: Unused and directed by Sh. alKaddousi alMosahharati.
Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

Thahiriyah Madrassa

Location: Taht alSabat district
Surface area: 95 m2
Commissioned by: Prince Taghri Bermesh alThahiri
Date of construction: 799 H/1397 CE
Historical period: Mameluke
Characteristics: On top of the western portal there is a historical inscription with "glass" renks on both sides. In the eastern part of the school there are two tombs belonging to the two sons of the Prince. Its mihrab (sanctuary) used to be covered with marble with decorated inscriptions. The ceiling is demolished and the school needs reconstruction.

Last update: February 24, 2003