Regards sur un grand chantier ayyoubide: les portes de la citadelle de Damas. L’apport de l’étude archéologique des élévations

Abstract

The author’s research on the gates of the citadel of Damascus give an exemplary insight into the approach of the architectural project by thorough archaeological analysis of the masonries and the relative chronology of the successive states of one of the major monuments of mediaeval military architecture in the Near East. Erected at the end of the 11^th century AD, frequently modified and finally rebuilt at the beginning of the 13^th century AD by the Ayyoubid sultan Al-’Adil who enshrined the older building in a much larger fortress, the citadel, residence of a prince as well as castle of exceptional size and strength, offers a great variety of aspects for the study of building techniques and the organization of the building process, which deepen the knowledge of the evolution of the concept of Islamic castle building during the crusades.