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Statue of Saladin

The Statue of Saladin is an oversize equestrian bronze statue of the Ayyubid Sultan Saladin, located in front of the 11th-century Citadel of Damascus in the Ancient City of Damascus, Syria. Designed by Syrian sculptor Abdallah al-Sayed, it was unveiled by Syrian president Hafez al-Assad in 1993 to mark the 800th anniversary of Saladin’s death. The sculpture depicts Saladin’s victory at the Battle of Hattin, showing him seated triumphantly on his horse, with two swordsmen behind him representing Renaud de Chatillon and Guy de Lusignan, and the crown of the Kingdom of Jerusalem lying on the ground.

The Statue of Saladin, a bronze equestrian monument with two armed figures beside it, set against stone walls and trees.
The Statue of Saladin in Damascus, shown here with its horse-mounted central figure and two flanking soldiers.
November 2020 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Low-angle view of the Saladin equestrian statue, showing a bronze warrior on a rearing horse above smaller figures on a rock-like base.
The Saladin statue rises above its textured base in a low-angle view.
April 2009 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Saladin equestrian statue with armed figures in front of the Citadel walls in Damascus.
The equestrian statue of Saladin stands before the stone walls of the Citadel in Damascus.
March 2008 © · CC BY 2.0
An equestrian statue of Saladin stands beside a massive stone wall with a road curving past it.
The Statue of Saladin beside a large stone wall in Damascus.
September 2005 © · CC BY 2.0
Statue of Saladin, a dark equestrian monument with a cloaked rider on a rearing horse and figures at the base, in an urban square.
The Statue of Saladin stands in a city square, shown here with its rearing horse and figures at the base.
December 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleStatue of Saladin
Depicted figureSaladin
TypeOversize equestrian bronze statue

Historical context

Commemorated occasionThe 800th anniversary of Saladin's death

Creator

SculptorAbdallah al-Sayed
Nationality of sculptorSyrian

Discovery and provenance

Unveiling date1993
DesignerAbdallah al-Sayed
Unveiled byHafez al-Assad, then Syrian president
Date created1993

Physical characteristics

MaterialBronze
Sculpture typeEquestrian statue

Appearance

PoseSeated proudly and triumphantly on his horse

Iconography and meaning

Subject / historical referenceSaladin's victory at the Battle of Hattin
Accompanying figuresTwo swordsmen
Other figures depictedRenaud de Chatillon and Guy de Lusignan, shown walking behind Saladin on foot as captives from the battle
Additional symbol depictedThe crown of the Kingdom of Jerusalem lies on the floor

Location and ownership

LocationIn front of the 11th-century Citadel of Damascus, in the Ancient City of Damascus, Damascus, Syria