Al-Qudsi House

Built in the late 17th century, Beit al-Qudsi is located in the Farafra neighborhood of Old Aleppo. This neighborhood is known for its Damascene-style houses with wide courtyards and ornate facades. Although the house was renovated in the late 20th century, it was severely damaged during the aerial bombardment of the city in the Syrian armed conflict. As the former residence of a prominent family in Aleppo and Syrian politics and society, Beit al-Qudsi is a testament to an important historical period. It exemplifies Aleppo’s traditional architecture and reflects the daily lives of wealthy families from that era. Poet Ahmed al-Qudsi moved to Aleppo as a teacher and established this house as a gathering place for the Aleppo Poets’Club. The blue canopy is adorned with turquoise glass, and the off-white roof is inscribed with verses from his poems. The rectangular basin stretches out like a mirror, on which poets reflect on their verses, in a voice that echoes off the pale stone walls. In 2008, the Conservatoire used it as a conservatory for Oriental music, and today, it offers Poetry-Oudevenings where poets and oud players share inspiration by candlelight.