Khan al-Umdan
Ahmed al-Jazzar · Acre, Israel · 1784
Khan al-Umdan, meaning "Caravanserai of the Pillars," is a significant example of Ottoman commercial architecture in Acre. Completed in 1784 under Ahmed al-Jazzar, it served as a primary trading hub, facilitating the movement of goods and merchants, particularly those involved in the cotton trade. Its construction reflects the economic prosperity and strategic importance of Acre during the late 18th century. The khan is characterized by its large, rectangular courtyard surrounded by two stories of arcaded rooms. The ground floor was used for storage and stables, while the upper floor provided lodging for merchants. A prominent clock tower, added later by Sultan Abdul Hamid II, stands at the entrance, further enhancing its visual presence and serving as a civic landmark.