The Official
Jerusalem
Travel Site

A A A

Places to Go
- City CenterSouthWestOld CityNear Old City
  City Center
  Downtown Jerusalem is the heart of the modern metropolis, with nightlife, dining and culture to rival any major city. The area is made up of several neighborhoods, including the colorful Mahane Yehuda Market, charming Nahalat Shiva, bustling Ben Yehuda and Yafo Streets. Each has its own unique personality and atmosphere that you won’t want to miss out on.
  
  South
  South Jerusalem is an up-and-coming area that has seen the development of numerous attractions in recent years, including the state-of-the-art Jerusalem Payis Arena, which hosts some of the biggest international musical acts and sporting events. It joins places like Emek Refaim Street, Malha Mall, the Biblical Zoo, Teddy Stadium, Gazelle Valley and Ramat Rachel tourism complex in making up an area that is particularly popular with families.
  
  West Jerusalem
  West Jerusalem includes some of Jerusalem’s most charming neighborhoods and interesting attractions. Head to the picturesque Ein Karem at the foot of the Jerusalem Hills for a day of nature, quaint shops and elegant dining with a view. And for an unbeatable cultural experience, check out the Museum District, home to the world-class Israel Museum, the Bible Lands Museum, Science Museum and much more.
  
  Old City
  The Old City of Jerusalem has been a center of culture, religion and history for thousands of years, from the time of the Judean kings and the Roman era through the times of the Islamic Empire to the modern State of Israel. Every brick and stone is teeming with history. No trip to the Middle East is complete without wandering through alleys of the bazaar, walking the ramparts and exploring the Old City’s rich history at the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Temple Mount (Al-Aqsa) or Tower of David Museum.
  
  NEAR OLD CITY
  Not far from the Old City, you can find some of Jerusalem’s most vibrant entertainment and shopping centers. Mamilla Mall is just a few steps from Jaffa Gate and counts as one of the most luxurious shopping centers in the city, replete with high-end shops, Mamilla Hotel’s Akasha Spa and a collection of restaurants with amazing views. And if you follow Hebron Road, you’ll find the First Station cultural complex and the Yes Planet movie theater and entertainment center.
THINGS TO DO
WHERE TO STAY
Plan Your Trip

Home > Attractions > Al Khanqah al- Salahiyya

Al Khanqah al- Salahiyya

Al Khanqa al-Salahiyya is a mosque located within the Christian Quarter, near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The history of the building is interesting. Apparently it served in its early days as the palace of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem during the era of the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. After Salah ad-Din Al-Ayyubi conquered the Kingdom of Jerusalem in 1187, the building became a “Khanqa”, a prayer house and a residence for Sufi dervishes, named in honor of Salah A-Din: Al Khanqa al-Salahiyya.

The Sufi Dervishes were Muslim mystics, who dedicated their time to prayer, ecstatic dance, seclusion and mysticism. They may have been influenced by the monasticism movement in Christianity. During the 14^th and 15^th centuries, when the Mamelukes ruled Jerusalem, the building was renovated, and achieved its current shape. This period also witnessed the building of the mosque’s minaret, which stands out in the Christian Quarter’s landscape.

The façade of the building is impressive and decorated with stone guilloches that are characteristic of the Mameluke architecture in Jerusalem: a combination of black and white stones (part of the black stones were damaged or have disappeared over the years, leaving only the white stones) and Ablaq- a combination of dark red and light yellowish stones.