Description - وصف
The heritage Khan al-Qashla, which dates back to the Ottoman era, was built in the al-Bawabat al-Tahta locality in old Sidon, or as it is known as Khan al-Hummus by the sons of Ali Hammoud in the year 1712 AD. As it is known initially, it was used as a warehouse for storing grains, especially chickpeas. Years later, it was turned into a prison and a gendarmerie headquarters. But with the onset of the civil war, prisoners escaped from it. A third floor was added to this khan in 1918. Later additions were made to this khan during the days of the French Mandate. And between the years 1923 and 1943, and after the French used it as a winter prison, it became called Al-Qashlaq, and after independence it became used by the Lebanese state, which turned it into a prison that later bore the name of the Barracks of the Martyr Bahij Al-Shahouri, and an agreement was made in which the Sidon municipality has the right to dispose of the property for a period of 99 years 3/29 Beginning in 2004, Khan al-Qishla underwent changes and transformations over the centuries until it was completely abandoned. Due to its cultural and historical value, today it is undergoing restoration, consolidation and development works with Italian funding as well to become a center for handicrafts with spaces dedicated to training and marketing products, its doors are open to all. This khan will become a headquarters for hosting and marketing craftsmanship in Sidon through this center or outside, and thus this vital facility will return to operation and give it the role it deserves and in Sidon, which is one of the largest free-standing museums in the Middle East. The engineering value, in addition to the pivotal and commercial role that the city played during successive centuries.
