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Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s

Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
Folk conducting business and relaxing in a large square in the Jurat al-Hawa quarter. Shops and cafés line the square.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
A view of the Mamuriya water wheel in the Bain al-Hairain quarter. In the distance can be seen the aqueduct of the Jisriya water wheel.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
The large al-Kilani mansion in the light of the setting sun. The mansion belonged to the wealthy and powerful al-Kilani family and had its own water wheel (Kilaniya), which supplied the house with water.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
A small square in the Marabat quarter, seen from a Turkish bathhouse. Towels from the bathhouse hang to dry above the square. In the center of the watercolour, a boy cleans carpets.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
Women wash clothes along the river in the Bain al-Hairain quarter.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
Façade of the old Khan Rustam Pasha caravansary, built in 1561. Inside the gate was a small door that allowed a merchant to enter and identify himself to the guards before access was granted to his camels with their loads of goods.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
The Barudie quarter, along the river. The villa on the right belonged to the wealthy ‘Azm family, who also owned the ‘Azm Palace. The villa was built in 1901 in the Venetian-Lebanese style popular in Syria at that time. To the left is the Al-Abaisi Mosque.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
The al-Kilani mansion, seen from the garden of the ‘Azm Palace across the river. The bridge to the left is called Jisr Bait ash-Shaikh (“The Bridge at the Sheikh’s House”); it spans the river along the main road to the city of Aleppo. This road runs right through the al-Kilani mansion complex.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
A view of the northwestern part of Hama, seen from a road leading out of town. In the center is the large al-Muhammadiya water wheel with its associated aqueduct. In the background looms the mound where the Danish excavations took place.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
The minaret of the Abu al-Fida Mosque and the mausoleum of Abu al-Fida, built in 1326, can be seen on the right. Abu al-Fida was governor of Hama Province from 1310 to 1332. Steps lead down to the river, where women are washing clothes.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
A view of the Abu al-Fida Mosque from the mound at Hama. Beyond the mosque can be seen a cemetery, agricultural fields, and the hill known as Qurun Hama (“The Horn of Hama”).
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
The Nuri Mosque, behind the bridge Jisr Bait ash-Shaikh, with the al-Jabiriya and as-Sahiuniya water wheels to the left. The Nuri Mosque was built in 1162, with additions added later. Because there was a school for the study of religion and science attached to the mosque, it played an especially important role in the history of the town. Adjacent to the water wheels is a hospital associated with the mosque.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
A view of the central courtyard from a window in the Khan Rustam Pasha. In the center of the courtyard was a small mosque, seen here on the left. When the caravansery was used as the expedition dighouse, tables were set up in the courtyard for the study and conservation of pottery.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
A square in the Bab al-Qubli quarter. Patrons queue up in front of the shop in the center background.

The chief architect of the expedition, Ejnar Fugmann, loved the old Ottoman town of Hama and painted around 100 watercolours of it from 1931 to 1938.

Fugmann, with his interest in architecture, depicted many of the buildings and water wheels in this most picturesque and least westernized town in Syria, including many mosques as well as the mansions of the al-Kilani family, descended from an Islamic saint buried in Baghdad, and of the ‘Azm family, whose members had been governors of Hama Province. He also sometimes portrayed inhabitants going about their daily lives. The old town’s ambiance and charm are projected in Fugmann’s choice of topics and in his balanced colour choices, which also partly reflect the Danish “Golden Age” of the national-romantic painting style in the 19th century.

You can enjoy other examples of Fugmann’s watercolours by clicking on the menu bar to the left.

Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
A view of the Abu al-Fida minaret and mausoleum along a road leading out of town.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
The ‘Azm Palace in the Bashura quarter had belonged to the wealthy and influential ‘Azm family. Two family members served as governor in Damascus in the 18th century. Later, the palace was turned into a school, and the watercolour depicts students and teachers relaxing during a break from classes. Since 1956, the palace has served as the archaeological museum of Hama.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
The al-Dunuk Mosque seen at the end of a small lane in the Huwarnah quarter of town.
Watercolours of Hama in the 1930s
Architectural detail of a house belonging to the ‘Azm family in the Basura quarter, Bait Said Bak Farduz al-‘Azm. Although built in the 20th century, it reflects earlier architectural traditions. This is the house that served as the Danish expedition’s dighouse from 1931 to 1935.