Damascus Bimaristan Nureddine: The world's famous 12th century hospital
Syria, History, 12/18/2000

Few buildings in the world can match the history of Bimaristan Nureddine, a 12th Century hospital opened to the public in Syria in 1978 as a Museum of Medicine and Science in the Hareqa district of the Old City.

Built in 1155 A.D. it served as a hospital for nearly eight centuries before it was converted into a school in 1899 and its medical services were transferred to a facility built by the municipality of Damascus.

Bimaristan is a Persian word" for this place which is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily except Tuesdays. Bimar means sick and stan is house." Even though it was the most advanced hospital in the world during the 12th- 13th centuries and perhaps later, the Bimaristan Nureddine was not the first hospital in the Arab world.

In Damascus, it was preceded by two hospitals constructed during the Ummayad period under Caliph Walid Bin Abdul Malik.

In terms of architecture, the Bimaristan Nureddine is one of the best examples of the Ayubid period and the stalactite dome is a prime example of 12th Century architecture.

Located south of the central area of Hamidiyeh Souk, the ancient building is easy to identify for its bright orange stalactite dome which contrasts against its sparking white plastered walls.

A large central pool dominates the unroofed courtyard. And one feels he has left the building as it was originally.

Facing the pool are three iwans to the south, east and north. A famous doctor was in charge of each iwan, with the most esteemed physicians accorded the eastern iwan, Historians of the period reported that the funds to build the hospital came from a controversial source. During the Crusades, Caliph Nureddine Bin Zenki captured a high born warrior. The enemy offered to pay a large ransom for his safe return and Nureddine decided the money could be used for a hospital. Against the wishes of his advisors, he agreed to release the prisoner.

The story goes that the prisoner died upon his return to enemy camp and Nureddine felt assured that he had not betrayed his people.

Grandsons of Nureddine built two extensions into the hospital to the north and south of the building. At it speaks, it had a capacity of 300 beds and was staffed by 21 surgeons, internists and ophthalmologist.

One room of special interest is dedicated to the famous surgeon al-Zahrawi, Photographic blowups of ancient medical sketches portray al-Zahrawi performing surgery.

Replicas of his actual instruments have been designed and ancient medical illustrations were utilized to reproduce them to scale as to the smallest detail.

One set of instruments illustrates the method of extricating poison arrows from the injured patient. These include a probe for measuring the depth of the arrow, a knife for enlarging the wound, tweezers and scissors to cut the poisoned flesh.

Several displays contain a wide range of cauterizing instruments for 11 sections of the human anatomy. Copies of centuries- old hypodermic needles and surgical saws and files are also exhibited in addition to a wood-birthing stool.

A selection of medical manuscripts- some dating to the 10th century- also are displayed under glass. Often these offer diagnoses similar to Akkadian Omni texts of the 3rd- 2nd millennia. These read: " If the sweat is white, this shows phlegm" " if the sweat is red, this shows contaminated blood." The eastern iwan displays an impressive collection of large blowups of ancient medical illustrations photographed by Syrian photographer Marwan Musilmani.

Another room contains illustrations of ancient herbalists and pharmacists at work. Original pharmaceutical tools, such as pestles and mortars, are on view.

All in all, a visit to the Bimaristan Nureddine will prove enlightening to physicians, pharmacists, students, historians and tourists alike.

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