Restoration of Mamluk Buildings – Old City of Jerusalem

Mamluk buildings are an important feature of Jerusalem’s heritage. They are valued for their aesthetics, as well as historical, cultural and educational purposes by local residents, scholars and tourists who visit. This project has completed a range of urgently needed restoration works on three significant Mamluk era buildings dating back to the 1400s including: the façade and roof works for Al‐Madrassa Jawhariyya and Ribat AlKurd; three external façades, the dome and the Maqam room of the Turba Sitt Tunshuq al‐Muzaffariyya, and internal works for the Mawardiyya Mosque/Madrassa.

WA also helped to upgrade the skills of local tradesmen with training in restoring the historic stonework of this era and how to manage specific problems that have developed over hundreds of years – including damage, mould, moss growth, etc. The temporary work opportunities created by this project allowed local workers to gain an income, improve their skills and increase their employability in similar projects in the future. This project also included activities to build awareness in the local community, including local schools, of the Mamluk buildings and the restoration work.