Beit Ghazaleh
بيت غزالة
One of the grandest houses of al-Jdeideh in Aleppo, from the 17th century, famed for carved stone and painted wood.
In al-Jdeideh north of old Aleppo stands Beit Ghazaleh, one of the most beautiful and richly decorated historic houses of Aleppo, dating from the 17th century when wealthy merchants built spacious homes reflecting their status.
Around a large courtyard with a pool, its façades carry exceptionally fine carving of floral and geometric motifs and poetic inscriptions. It was renowned for painted wooden panels lining halls and ceilings, key examples of Ottoman-era painting on wood in Aleppo.
The house is named after the Ghazaleh family, who owned it for about two centuries, and it served as a public school from 1914. It was built in front of two large Muslim waqfs, created in 1583–90 and 1653, and together they formed the heart of a mixed Christian-Muslim neighbourhood. At its height it covered about 1,600 square metres, with about 570 occupied by six courtyards, and it always kept a main central courtyard of 250 square metres. Its decorative panels carry no human figures but painted inscriptions mixing popular sayings, mystic poetry and psalms.
Used over time as a school, it was restored in the early 21st century to become a museum of Aleppo's history. Part of the Ancient City of Aleppo World Heritage property.
Note: photos may not reflect the site's current condition.
For the visitor
Location: 36.2068, 37.1564 · Open on the map
Photos
Photos: François Cristofoli — via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) · Art Graphique & Patrimoine — via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) · Preacher lad — via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) · Tonino34 — via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
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