Souq al-Tawil, the Long Market of Hama
Hama’s oldest market, built by the Ayyubid ruler al-Mansur Muhammad. It runs from al-Dabbagha to al-Murabit Street, with two khans inside and a mosque at one end.
- Opening hours
- Shop hours, they vary — check on the spot
- Entry
- Free
- Duration
- 40 minutes
- Best time
- During the day, while the shops are open
- Period
- Ayyubid
- Address
- From al-Dabbagha Street to al-Murabit Street, west bank of the Orontes, Hama
Souq al-Tawil, the Long Market, is the oldest and best-known market in Hama. It was built in the Ayyubid period by al-Mansur Muhammad, ruler of Hama, which is why its old name is al-Mansuriyya. The Ayyubids were the dynasty founded by Saladin. The souq runs from the middle of al-Dabbagha Street to al-Murabit Street.
Who built it
Al-Mansur Muhammad was the son of al-Muzaffar Taqi al-Din Umar, ruler of Hama, and died in 1220. The historian-prince Abu’l-Fida came from the same Ayyubid branch that governed Hama. Al-Mansur divided the souq into sections and gave each one to a single trade.
What it looks like today
The stone vault that once covered the souq collapsed over time and was replaced with a roof of zinc sheeting. The plan is Ayyubid. The roof is new. People in Hama call the half of the city west of the Orontes “al-Souq” because of this market, while the east bank is “al-Hadir”.
What is inside and around it
Two khans stand inside the souq: Khan al-Sahn and Khan al-Hinna. At the al-Dabbagha entrance is the Sheikh Ibrahim al-Kilani Mosque, dated to the Hijri year 1078, or 1667. From the al-Murabit end you can walk along the same street to Khan Rustem Pasha.
When to go
Shop hours vary from section to section, and we have no confirmed times. Go during the day to see the market at work. Ask on the spot for exact hours.
Do not miss
Khan al-Sahn and Khan al-Hinna inside the market. Both are within the souq. Ask the traders.
Tips
- Enter from the al-Dabbagha end; the Sheikh Ibrahim al-Kilani Mosque at the entrance helps you get your bearings
- Khan al-Sahn and Khan al-Hinna are inside the souq; ask the traders to find them
- From the al-Murabit end, Khan Rustem Pasha is on the same street
- Ask before photographing traders and their stalls
Transparency
- How this was chosen
- Written by hand; opening hours, entry fee and coordinates are kept as data. A field that is not known for certain is marked as variable rather than guessed.
- Facts checked
- September 2026
- Last updated
- September 15, 2026