Khan Danun

Khan Danun is located on the Levantine Hajj Route, 23 km south of Damascus. It was built in 1376 AD by the Mamluk prince Manjak al-Yusufi as a rest stop for caravans heading to the Two Holy Mosques. Constructed from basalt stone, common in Hauran, the khan features a square courtyard surrounded by arcades and circular towers, giving the building the appearance of a small fortress. With the decline of caravan traffic, the site became a village and then a refugee camp. Some of the khan’s basements collapsed, leaving it in a state of “partial destruction.” Nevertheless, the southern gate block and its Kufic inscriptions remain a testament to the logistical role the khan played in organizing the Hajj season.