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{{Short description|Museum in Gaza City, Palestine}} |
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'''Qasr al-Basha''' (also known as '''Radwan Castle''' and '''Napoleon's Fort''') is formerly a large mansion or castle, now a girl's school, situated in the [[Gaza#Old City and districts|Old City]] of [[Gaza]].<ref name="TWP"/> |
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[[File:قصر الباشا في غزة.jpg|thumb|The palace in 2016]] |
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[[File:Pasha's Palace Museum (Qasr al-Basha), Gaza City.jpg|thumb|The museum entrance]] |
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'''Qasr al-Basha''' ({{langx|ar|قصر الباشا}}), also known as '''Pasha's Palace Museum''', '''Radwan Castle,''' and '''Napoleon's Fort''', is a historic building in the [[Gaza City#Old City|Old City]] of [[Gaza City|Gaza]], now housing a museum.<ref name="TWP" /> It served as a seat of power in the [[Mamluk Sultanate|Mamluk]] and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] periods and as a police station during the [[Mandatory Palestine|British Mandate]]. It was destroyed in the [[Israel-Hamas war]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2024 |title=قصر الباشا.. بقي قائما من العصر المملوكي حتى هدمته إسرائيل |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/encyclopedia/2024/2/24/%D9%82%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%A3%D8%AB%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84 |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Al Jazeera Arabic |language=ar}}</ref>[[File:Qasr al-Basha.jpg|thumb|Pasha's Palace Museum]] |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===Mamluk period=== |
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According to local legend, in the 13th century CE when the [[Mamluk]] sultan [[Baibars|Zahir Baibars]] was still a general fighting the [[Crusader]]s and [[Mongol]]s throughout the [[Levant]], he passed through Gaza on several occasions. During one of his visits, Baibars is believed to have married in Gaza and built a grand mansion for his Gazan wife and children. It is said that Qasr al-Basha is what remains of this home; it has the landmark of Baibars which is a sculpture of two lions facing each other and the geometrical patterns and domes, fan and cross vaults are typical Mamluk architecture under Bahri rule.<ref name="TWP">[http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=1950&ed=132&edid=132 Qasr Al-Basha - Gaza] ''This Week in Palestine''. October 2006.</ref> |
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The first floor of Qasr al-Basha was built by the [[Mamluk Sultanate|Mamluk]] sultan [[Baibars|Zahir Baibars]] in the mid-[[13th century]]. The façade bears the symbol of Baibars which is a [[Relief|relief sculpture]] of two lions facing each other.<ref name="PAPP"/> The geometrical patterns and domes, [[Fan vault|fan]] and [[Groin vault|cross vaults]] are typical [[Mamluk architecture]] under [[Mamluk Sultanate (Cairo)#Bahri rule|Bahri rule]]. According to local legend, in the 13th century CE, when Baibars was still a general fighting the [[Crusades|Crusaders]] and [[Mongols]] throughout the [[Levant]], he passed through Gaza on several occasions. During one of his visits, Baibars is believed to have married in Gaza and built a grand mansion for his Gazan wife and children. It is said that Qasr al-Basha is what remains of this home.<ref name="TWP">[http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=1950&ed=132&edid=132 Qasr Al-Basha - Gaza] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304074539/http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=1950&ed=132&edid=132 |date=2012-03-04 }} ''This Week in Palestine''. October 2006.</ref> |
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===Ottoman period=== |
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In the 17th century, Qasr al-Basha served as the fortress home of the ruling Radwan dynasty, who were Ottoman-appointed governors. During this era, the fortress was provided arrow slits as means of defense. [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] spent three nights at Qasr al-Basha during his [[Siege of Acre (1799)|Siege of Acre]] in 1799, hence the name "Napoleon's Fort". During the [[British Mandate of Palestine]] period it was used as a police station, and during the [[Egypt]]ian rule of Gaza, Qasr al-Basha was turned into a school known as the Princess Ferial School for Girls. After [[Farouk I of Egypt]] were deposed in [[Cairo]], the school was renamed to al-Zahra Secondary School for Girls.<ref name="TWP"/> |
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The second floor of the building is largely of [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman-era]] construction.<ref name="PAPP"/> In the 17th century, Qasr al-Basha served as the fortress home of the ruling [[Ridwan dynasty|Radwan dynasty]] (hence the name "Radwan Castle") and later ''[[pasha]]s'' of Gaza, who were governors appointed by the Ottoman governor of the [[Damascus Eyalet|Damascus Province]].<ref name="TWP"/> During this era, the fortress was provided with arrow slits and underground passages as means of defense. Within the complex were soldier's lodgings, a [[mosque]], granary, an armory, and cannons. The height of the structure made Qasr al-Basha a strategic point in Gaza. This, along with its fortifications, was the probable reason [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] spent three nights at the palace during his [[French invasion of Egypt and Syria|invasion]] that ended at [[Akko|Acre]] in 1799, hence the name "Napoleon's Fort".<ref name="PAPP"/> |
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[[Ottoman Empire|Turkish]] traveller [[Evliya Çelebi]] wrote of Qasr al-Basha in 1649, saying "the Citadel was built in ancient times and destroyed by [[Nebuchadnezzar]]. The present citadel derives from a later time. It is small and rectangular and lies one hour distant, east of the sea. Its walls are twenty yards high. It has a metal door which opens in the direction of the ''[[qibla]]''. The commander and the garrison must always be present here to fulfill their guard duties because it is in a dangerous place, here the Arab tribes and the enemy are numerous."<ref name="PAPP"/> |
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=== 1920–1967 === |
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During the [[Mandatory Palestine|British Mandate of Palestine]] it served as a police station. During the [[Administration of the Gaza Strip by Egypt|administration of Gaza by Egypt]], Qasr al-Basha served as a school, [[Princess Farial of Egypt|Princess Farial]] School for Girls. After [[Farouk of Egypt]] was deposed, the school was renamed al-Zahra Secondary School for Girls.<ref name="TWP"/> |
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===Modern era=== |
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Funded by a German [[KfW|Development Bank (KfW)]] grant, the [[United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP) converted Qasr al-Basha into a museum. After building new facilities for the girls school, restoration began under the supervision of the [[Palestinian Authority]] Department of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage. During the first phase of the project, workers landscaped the museum grounds, installed new doors, windows and gates, and restored the [[façade]] of the palace.<ref name="PAPP">[http://www.papp.undp.org/en/newsroom/publications/pdf/focus/04v1.pdf The Pasha's Palace Museum (Gaza)] {{webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090327014858/http://www.papp.undp.org/en/newsroom/publications/pdf/focus/04v1.pdf |date= March 27, 2009 }}. Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People. 2004, Volume I.</ref> In the second phase of the project, display cases were installed and exhibitions were held of [[Neolithic]], [[Ancient Egyptian]], [[Phoenicia]]n, [[Achaemenid Empire|Persian]], [[Hellenistic]], and [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] artifacts. The smaller building in front of the palace became a gateway to the museum.<ref name="PAPP"/> |
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A 4,500 year old statue of [[Anat]], the Canaanite goddess of beauty, love and war, was recently on display.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bombing Historical Sites in Gaza: 'Israel Is Destroying Everything Beautiful' |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-12-26/ty-article-magazine/.premium/bombing-historical-sites-in-gaza-israel-is-destroying-everything-beautiful/0000018c-a565-df1f-a7bf-b7e53e8e0000 |access-date=2024-02-06 |work=Haaretz |language=en}}</ref> |
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Qasr al-Basha was heavily damaged after Israeli bombardment attacks during the [[Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip|Israeli invasion of Gaza]] as of March 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-11 |title=Destruction of the Palestinian cultural heritage of Gaza – in pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2024/jan/11/palestinian-cultural-heritage-gaza-destruction-in-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305200812/https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2024/jan/11/palestinian-cultural-heritage-gaza-destruction-in-pictures |archive-date=2024-03-05 |access-date=2024-06-26 |work=the Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> |
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== See also == |
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* [[List of museums in the State of Palestine|List of museums in Palestine]] |
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* [[Ahmad Pasha ibn Ridwan|Ahmad ibn Ridwan]] |
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* [[Husayn Pasha]] |
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* [[Musa Pasha ibn Hasan|Musa Pasha ibn Hasan Ridwan]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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== Further reading == |
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*{{Cite journal |last=Aldohdar |first=Hammouda Nahed |date=2020 |title=The role of heritage tourism in preserving historical buildings in Palestine (case study of the Pasha's Palace, Gaza) |url=https://aej.spbgasu.ru/index.php/AE/article/view/294/159 |journal=Architecture and Engineering |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=3–7 |doi=10.23968/2500-0055-2020-5-2-03-07|doi-access=free }} |
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[[Category:Castles]] |
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{{commons category}} |
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{{Gaza City}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{coord|31|30|15.90|N|34|27|57.48|E|region:PS_type:landmark|display=title}} |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 13th century]] |
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[[Category:Museums in the Gaza Strip]] |
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[[Category:Palaces in the Gaza Strip]] |
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[[Category:Old City (Gaza City)]] |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures destroyed during the Israel–Hamas war]] |
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Latest revision as of 13:48, 6 January 2025
,_Gaza_City.jpg)
Qasr al-Basha (Arabic: قصر الباشا), also known as Pasha's Palace Museum, Radwan Castle, and Napoleon's Fort, is a historic building in the Old City of Gaza, now housing a museum.[1] It served as a seat of power in the Mamluk and Ottoman periods and as a police station during the British Mandate. It was destroyed in the Israel-Hamas war in 2024.[2]
History
[edit]Mamluk period
[edit]The first floor of Qasr al-Basha was built by the Mamluk sultan Zahir Baibars in the mid-13th century. The façade bears the symbol of Baibars which is a relief sculpture of two lions facing each other.[3] The geometrical patterns and domes, fan and cross vaults are typical Mamluk architecture under Bahri rule. According to local legend, in the 13th century CE, when Baibars was still a general fighting the Crusaders and Mongols throughout the Levant, he passed through Gaza on several occasions. During one of his visits, Baibars is believed to have married in Gaza and built a grand mansion for his Gazan wife and children. It is said that Qasr al-Basha is what remains of this home.[1]
Ottoman period
[edit]The second floor of the building is largely of Ottoman-era construction.[3] In the 17th century, Qasr al-Basha served as the fortress home of the ruling Radwan dynasty (hence the name "Radwan Castle") and later pashas of Gaza, who were governors appointed by the Ottoman governor of the Damascus Province.[1] During this era, the fortress was provided with arrow slits and underground passages as means of defense. Within the complex were soldier's lodgings, a mosque, granary, an armory, and cannons. The height of the structure made Qasr al-Basha a strategic point in Gaza. This, along with its fortifications, was the probable reason Napoleon Bonaparte spent three nights at the palace during his invasion that ended at Acre in 1799, hence the name "Napoleon's Fort".[3]
Turkish traveller Evliya Çelebi wrote of Qasr al-Basha in 1649, saying "the Citadel was built in ancient times and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. The present citadel derives from a later time. It is small and rectangular and lies one hour distant, east of the sea. Its walls are twenty yards high. It has a metal door which opens in the direction of the qibla. The commander and the garrison must always be present here to fulfill their guard duties because it is in a dangerous place, here the Arab tribes and the enemy are numerous."[3]
1920–1967
[edit]During the British Mandate of Palestine it served as a police station. During the administration of Gaza by Egypt, Qasr al-Basha served as a school, Princess Farial School for Girls. After Farouk of Egypt was deposed, the school was renamed al-Zahra Secondary School for Girls.[1]
Modern era
[edit]Funded by a German Development Bank (KfW) grant, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) converted Qasr al-Basha into a museum. After building new facilities for the girls school, restoration began under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority Department of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage. During the first phase of the project, workers landscaped the museum grounds, installed new doors, windows and gates, and restored the façade of the palace.[3] In the second phase of the project, display cases were installed and exhibitions were held of Neolithic, Ancient Egyptian, Phoenician, Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman artifacts. The smaller building in front of the palace became a gateway to the museum.[3] A 4,500 year old statue of Anat, the Canaanite goddess of beauty, love and war, was recently on display.[4]
Qasr al-Basha was heavily damaged after Israeli bombardment attacks during the Israeli invasion of Gaza as of March 2024.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Qasr Al-Basha - Gaza Archived 2012-03-04 at the Wayback Machine This Week in Palestine. October 2006.
- ^ "قصر الباشا.. بقي قائما من العصر المملوكي حتى هدمته إسرائيل". Al Jazeera Arabic (in Arabic). 24 February 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
- ^ a b c d e f The Pasha's Palace Museum (Gaza) Archived March 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People. 2004, Volume I.
- ^ "Bombing Historical Sites in Gaza: 'Israel Is Destroying Everything Beautiful'". Haaretz. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "Destruction of the Palestinian cultural heritage of Gaza – in pictures". the Guardian. 2024-01-11. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
Further reading
[edit]- Aldohdar, Hammouda Nahed (2020). "The role of heritage tourism in preserving historical buildings in Palestine (case study of the Pasha's Palace, Gaza)". Architecture and Engineering. 5 (2): 3–7. doi:10.23968/2500-0055-2020-5-2-03-07.
