Madrassas (Theological Schools) in Tripoli Lebanon

Present

• ElMina

The harbour - ElMina - three kilometers away, hosted what was apparently at one time a Phoenician town of which nothing now remains. ElMina is also known as the "City of Waves and Horizons".

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A comprehensive repository of Tripolitan families and expatriates.

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Tripoli has long been known for its sweets industry, olive oil-based soap production, and copper crafts.

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A project to provide bibliographic information about Tripoli, Lebanon.

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A wander around inside Tripoli, Lebanon: A diary of humouristic series of walkabouts "kazdouras".

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The Palm Islands Park is a unique and integrated natural marine basin in the eastern Mediterranean that was declared as a reserve in 1994.

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Interactive panoramic views of Tripoli, Lebanon.

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The 'Tripoli e-Discussion Society' is an independently self-controlled body that aims at gathering Tripolitans residing all over the world to discuss issues pertaining to Tripoli, Lebanon.

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Past

• History

A quick reference about Tripoli in the Prehistorical, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Crusade, Mameluke, and Ottoman periods.

• Monuments

The wealth of historical monuments make Tripoli the second largest preserved Mameluke city in the world.

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An educational game to test your knowledge about Tripoli, Lebanon.

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A comprehensive tourist guide for sightseeing in Tripoli, Lebanon.

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A documented history of Tripoli from the 3rd to the 20th centuries with large collections of coins, garments, manuscripts, paintings, old photographs, and many other artifacts.

Languages

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Bienvenue à Tripoli, Liban

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أهلاً بكم في طرابلس لبنان

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The Holy Month of Ramadhan in Tripoli / شهر رمضان المبارك في طرابلس

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العائلات الطرابلسية

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Please send your comments, suggestions, or contributions to: Dr. Ghazi Omar Tadmouri.

• 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.

• 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

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

• 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 Madrassa is used as a dwelling, and a historical inscription exists on its gate.
• Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

• Location: Aqabat 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

• Location: Defterdar-Dababisah district
• Surface area: 58 m2
• Commissioned by: Dabbousi family
• Historical period: Ottoman
• Characteristics: Dabbousiyah Madrassa 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

• Location: Sayyagheen bazaar (facing the Tuwayshiyah Madrassa)
• Commissioned by: Unknown (attributed to Sh. Mohammed AlDahhan)
• Date of construction: Unknown
• Historical period: Mameluke
• Characteristics: 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

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

• Location: Near Sidi AbdulWahed 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

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: 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

AlSheikh AlHindi Madrassa was constructed in the 4th H Century/ 14th Century CE.

• 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

• 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

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

• 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

The current situation of Khatouniyah Madrassa (2002).

Inscriptions above the portal of Khatouniyah 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

• Location: Haddadeen district, near the Muallaq 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

• Location: ElMina 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: 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

• 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: Mash’had Madrassa 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

• 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

• 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

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Location: Hadeed Gate
• Surface area: 112 m2
• Commissioned by: Unknown
• Date of construction: Unknown
• Historical period: Mameluke
• Characteristics: 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

• 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. AlQaddousi AlMosahharati.
• Proprietor: Islamic Awqaf Directorate of Tripoli

• 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.