باب الصغير | |
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 Interactive map of Bab al-Saghir | |
| Location | Damascus,Syria,[1]Ash-Sham |
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| Coordinates | 33°30′22″N36°18′23″E / 33.50611°N 36.30639°E /33.50611; 36.30639[2] |
| Type | Gate |
Bab al-Saghir (Arabic:باب الصغير,romanized: Bāb al-Ṣaghīr,lit. 'small gate') is one of the seven gates in theOld City of Damascus,Syria. It hasqubūr (Arabic:قُبُوْر,graves) on either side of the road,[3][4] and is located in the Dimashq Neighborhood, southwest of theUmayyad Mosque.
Thebāb (Arabic:بَاب, gate) was initially built by theArameans, then it was dedicated toZeus during theSeleucid era. During the Roman era, the gate was dedicated toJupiter.[3][4] In medieval times, Bab as-Saghir was the main southern entrance into Damascus. It was refortified by General Nūr al-Dīn at around 1156 (550 in Islamic years) and then later by the Ayyūbid sultans.[5] Bab as-Saghir was constructed out of mud bricks, causing it to be the weakest entrance to the city. Because of this, it is probable that during theSiege of Damascus (1148), the Crusaders planned on concentrating their forces on the gate. Before any possible plan could be implemented, Damascus's military commander (oratabeg) Mu'in al-Din Abu Mansur Anur launched large-scale attacks on the Crusaders- made up of anyone who could fight- while strengthening the fortifications. After a four-day siege, the Crusaders withdrew from Damascus.[6]
Maqbarat al-Bāb aṣ-Ṣaghīr (Arabic:مَقْبَرَة ٱلْبَاب ٱلصَّغِيْر)[2] is the ancientcemetery, which is adjacent to the gate, and is a site of significant religious importance to Muslims.[7]
Media related toBab Saghir at Wikimedia Commons
| Old City of Damascus |
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| Location of the Mosque in Relation to the Citadel and the Azem Palace |
