The Architectural Development of Jerusalem in the Islamic Period

Abstract

The need for water in Jerusalem increased in view of the growth in the

population of the city. The local water sources were no LONGER sufficient

for the needs of pilgrims or residents. Therefore, water was drawn into the

city from distant places via stone or clay canals which were built making

use of the difference in altitude of areas between the south of the city and its

centre. In so doing, the water current winding from the upper parts to the

lower ones was the main supply. Three main canals were built to maintain

this supply. These were wādi al- biyār, the higher canal and the Sabīl canal.

The Sabīl canal, which was the most important, represented the backbone

of life in the city. The waters of a number of remote springs in the region of

Al-Arroub were collected in it to be drawn to the city through it in a winding

manner over a large distance . The canal was built during the Roman period

and reconstructed in most of the following epochs. It was always preserved,

renewed and maintained. A lot of returns were allotted to it during the Islamic

periods of rule. Many establishments were erected to keep feeding it, such as

Solomon’s pools reservoir and Al-Arroub pool. The canal was mentioned

in tens of governmental documents in different epochs. Many travelers

wrote about it whether by describing it or referring to it. Afterwards, it was

permanently guarded as a result of frequent acts of vandalism against it.

The following is a detailed study of the canal from its various architectural

and historical aspects owing to its social, economic and political significance

to the city of Jerusalem.