33°20′19″N 44°23′33″E / 33.3386°N 44.3925°E
Khan Murjan | |
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Native name خان مرجان | |
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Location | 89QR+CXM, Baghdad, Iraq ![]() |
Built | 1356-1358 |
Built for | Merchants needing a Khan |
Restored | Mid-1980s |
Architectural style(s) | Baghdadi Architecture |
The Khan Murjan (Arabic: خان مرجان, also: Khan Marjan) is a building in the souk of Baghdad, Iraq. It was built by the Jalayirid governor of Baghdad, Amin al-Din Murjan in the 14th century originally as a caravanserai, an inn for traveling merchants, with a large center hall that was 13 metres (43 ft) high.[1][2][3] It features crenelated arches of brick, as well as perforated windows.[2]
The building was reputedly in a state of disrepair for over two centuries, with waist-high flood water from the Tigris standing in the famous hallway. By the mid-1980s, the building had been restored and was in use as a restaurant.[1][4]
History
[edit]The Khan Murjan was built between 1356 and 1358 by Amin al-Din Murjan, the Jalayirid governor of Baghdad whom had also built the nearby Murjan Mosque.[5] The khan is distinguished from other khans, another term for caravanserai, by its architecture: its inner courtyard is covered by huge arches of bricks, with a ceiling height of 13 metres. The khan has two floors: the ground floor contains 22 rooms, and the upper floor contains 23 rooms.[6] The outside is decorated with Islamic calligraphy. [7] The main function of the khan is to shelter merchants, their caravans, their goods, and the animals carrying the goods. It also remains one of the rare khans whose plan did not include an open central courtyard, as is the case with the designs of most other khans. [5]
In 1937, a Museum of Arab Antiquities was opened in the former Khan Murjan building.[8] This museum was dedicated to Islamic artifacts in a show of Arab nationalism by the Director of Antiquities, Sati' al-Husri.[9] By the mid-1980s, under the leadership of Saddam Hussein, the building was turned into a tourist restaurant in which it materialized an authentic Baghdadi atmosphere with Iraqi Maqam being played inside. Waiters could be found in traditional clothing with guests singing at their tables. Additionally, Maqam artists such as Yousef Omar have been invited to play.[6]
Present
[edit]Today, the Khan Murjan is among the oldest of the remaining khans in Iraq and is operated by Liwan for Culture and Development and the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH).[10] Its restoration is being led by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas.[10]
The influence of the Khan Murjan is apparent beyond Baghdad. In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Khan Murjan Souk at WAFI Mall is a popular tourist destination. The mall spectacle has four quarters that are set in a 14th-century souk with decorations and architecture influenced by historic Egypt, Syria, Morocco, and Turkey.[11] The WAFI Mall also hosts the Khan Murjan Restaurant, where people can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner.[12]
In Tampa, Florida, a restaurant called the Khan Murjan served traditional Iraqi and Halal food. The restaurant was closed as of November 2023.[13]
Gallery
[edit]![Black and white photo of Khan Murjan prior to restoration](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Khan_Murjan_before_restoration%2C_Baghdad%2C_1930s.png/220px-Khan_Murjan_before_restoration%2C_Baghdad%2C_1930s.png)
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Interior
References
[edit]- ^ a b Scherping, Jan (2002). Unbekannter Irak. National Geographic De. p. 219. ISBN 9783934385870. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
- ^ a b "Archnet > Site > Khan Marjan". www.archnet.org. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ حمودي, الدكتور خالد خليل (2009). "Khan Murjan in Baghdad, its history and architecture". Arab Scientific Heritage Journal. 1 (6).
- ^ Docherty, J. P. (1988). Iraq. Chelsea House. ISBN 9780791000946. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
- ^ a b "قراءة ثانية لعمارة: خان مرجان : بهو بغداد المترف". almadapaper.net. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
- ^ a b "يا مثقفي بغداد ... أنقذوا خان مرجان - ديوان العرب". diwanalarab.com. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
- ^ "Caravanserai in Baghdad | Dialogue Across Borders". www.dialogueacrossborders.com. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
- ^ Bernhardsson, M.T. 2005. Reclaiming a Plundered Past, Archaeology and Nation Building in Modern Iraq. Austin, TX, USA: University of Texas Press.
- ^ "A Guide To The Arab Museum At Khan Marjan In Baghdad. - DIRECTORATE-GENERAL OF ANTIQUITIES". www.maggs.com. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
- ^ a b "Khan Marjan: A Cultural Icon of Baghdad | Aliph Foundation - Protecting heritage to build peace". Aliph Foundation. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
- ^ "Khan Murjan Souk - Traditional Arabian Souk". WAFI City. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
- ^ "Khan Murjan Restaurant - Genuine Arabic Taste". Retrieved 2023-11-27.
- ^ "Khan Murjan is a Middle Eastern Restaurant in Tampa, FL 33617". tampairaqifood.com. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
Sources
[edit]- Babaie, Sussan (2019). Iran After the Mongols. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1788315289.