Maktab Anbar
Encyclopedia
Maktab Anbar (Anbar Office) is an old house in the center of Old Damascus
near the Umayyad Mosque
and a short distance from the Street Called Straight
. The house was built as a private residence by a local Jewish
notable Mr. Anbar in the mid 19th century. The house is built around three courtyards, first the formal reception courtyard, behind this the attractive female courtyard, and finally the spartan servants' courtyard. The main sections were completed at tremendous expense, and due to high costs Mr. Anbar abandoned the project In 1887. The Ottomans, who then occupied Syria, completed the project adding two wings and converting the house into a boys' school. The house was restored by the Ministry of Culture
in 1976. It now holds a library exhibition hall, museum and craft workshops.
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
near the Umayyad Mosque
Umayyad Mosque
The Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus or formerly the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist , is located in the old city of Damascus, is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world...
and a short distance from the Street Called Straight
Street Called Straight
The Damascus Straight Street is the Roman street that runs from east to west in the old city of Damascus, Syria. It was visited by St. Paul as recorded in the book of Acts and contains several interesting sights from the Roman, Christian and Islamic periods.Under the Greeks, the old city of...
. The house was built as a private residence by a local Jewish
Syrian Jews
Syrian Jews are Jews who inhabit the region of the modern state of Syria, and their descendants born outside Syria. Syrian Jews derive their origin from two groups: from the Jews who inhabited the region of today's Syria from ancient times Syrian Jews are Jews who inhabit the region of the modern...
notable Mr. Anbar in the mid 19th century. The house is built around three courtyards, first the formal reception courtyard, behind this the attractive female courtyard, and finally the spartan servants' courtyard. The main sections were completed at tremendous expense, and due to high costs Mr. Anbar abandoned the project In 1887. The Ottomans, who then occupied Syria, completed the project adding two wings and converting the house into a boys' school. The house was restored by the Ministry of Culture
Ministry of Culture (Syria)
The Ministry of Culture is a government ministry office of the Syrian Arab Republic, responsible for cultural affairs in Syria.-Ministers of Culture:*Dr. Najah al-Attar *Maha Qanout...
in 1976. It now holds a library exhibition hall, museum and craft workshops.