Constructed between 1294 and 1315, the large and beautiful Great Mosque is built over the ruins of a 12th-century Crusader cathedral, which was burned by the Mamluks. Making use of parts of the old cathedral structure - the cathedral’s old bell tower transformed into a minaret - it is a good example of Western architecture mixed with Mamluk style. The northern entrance and the Crusader shrine date back to the 12th century. The mosque is flanked by two old schools: Madrassa al-Machad and Madrassa al-Shmsiyat.