Coppersmiths

Due north of the Citadel, at right angles to the road which encircles the mound, the street al Kawakbi leads to a quarter where craftsmen abound and the coppersmiths’ hammers can be heard all day. Great sheets of copper are transformed into jugs and pans by their well-aimed blows; a rough outline drawn on the wall is their only pattern. They sell their goods by weight. At the end of this street of copper a beautifully carved entrance leads into an ordinary warehouse. A little covered souk brings us back to the center, crossing the street al Kouwatly near an old gateway, the Bab al Nasr (victory), and joins the street al Moutanabi on which stands a small mosque, the al Mahmandar. It has a curious minaret - a square base becomes first octagonal then cylindrical and each stage is decorated in a different style. It is surmounted by a hideous iron watch tower.