Rescuing the historic rubble of the Khan of Amir Younis

Palestine

The Khan of Amir Younis, also known as Barquq Castle, is a 14th century Mamluk caravanserai, the only one left in Palestine. Built as a secure stop and a postal station on the Mamluk trading route between Cairo and Damascus, it gave Khan Younis its name, and the city grew up around it.

An airstrike brought down much of the structure, partially collapsing the minaret and façade, cracking the surviving walls, and burying the site in rubble. Debris was deliberately piled at the main gate to block access, leaving the damaged structure at risk of further collapse and looting.

With €35,000 in support from CER, the Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation (CCHP) worked with Khan Younis’ municipality, UN Mine Action Service, and local experts to secure the site. Using only hand-tools and carts, the team salvaged roughly 160 square metres of historic stone, cataloguing each piece by where it fell, its stone type, and its original position on the building. Fragile sandstone was packed into burlap sacks, and metal fencing was installed at unmonitored access points. The team then stabilised the standing structure, repairing arches, cracked pillars, and a collapsed cross vault with traditional stone and mortar.

Local practitioners led both decision-making and implementation, and their familiarity with the site aided the sorting of stones. Notably, the 15 people paid through the project rippled into supporting an estimated 90 to 100 dependants. Overall, this emergency operation laid the groundwork for full restoration once conditions allow it.