Türkiye Restores Ottoman Cemetery in Damascus | TIKA Project

Türkiye Restores Historic Ottoman Cemetery in Damascus

Türkiye's TIKA agency has completed the restoration of the Ottoman-era cemetery in the courtyard of the Sheikh Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi Mosque in Damascus, preserving a vital cultural and religious heritage site.

The cemetery, containing 48 graves dating from 1543 to the 19th century, includes the resting places of Ottoman statesmen and their families. Years of neglect, environmental damage, and regional conflict had left the historical site in deteriorating condition.

"This restoration represents more than architectural conservation; it's an act of preserving collective memory and honoring our shared history. The cemetery serves as a tangible connection between Türkiye and Syria's Ottoman past," stated a TIKA project coordinator.

Restoration Scope and Details

The comprehensive restoration project undertaken by Turkish experts included several critical phases:

• Clearing accumulated debris and overgrowth that had obscured the graves
• Carefully excavating and uncovering completely buried grave markers
• Meticulously repairing damaged and fractured Ottoman-era tombstones
• Installing a traditional Ottoman-style fountain for ritual ablution
• Correcting historical inaccuracies that had been added to inscriptions during previous improper repairs

Historical and Religious Significance

The mosque complex, also historically referred to as the Selimiye Mosque, houses the tomb of the revered Sufi scholar Sheikh Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi (1165–1240), a monumental figure in Islamic philosophy and mysticism.

The project successfully bridges historical preservation with contemporary cultural diplomacy. It underscores Türkiye's ongoing commitment to protecting shared Islamic and Ottoman heritage sites beyond its borders, regardless of political circumstances.

With restoration complete, the cemetery is now formally ready to welcome visitors, academic delegations, and cultural tourists from around the world, serving as a renewed point of historical reflection and inter-cultural connection.

Important: While the site is restored, visitors are advised to check current travel advisories and local conditions before planning a visit to Damascus.