Madrasa of al-Nasir Muhammad
| Madrasa of al-Nasir Muhammad | |
|---|---|
Madrassa/Mausoleum | |
| Style | Mamluk, Islamic architecture |
| Groundbreaking | c. 1295 |
| Completed | 1303 |
| Specifications | |
| Dome(s) | 1 |
| Minaret(s) | 1 |
| Materials | Brick, marble, stucco |
The Madrasa of al-Nasir Muhammad is a
Historical background
Al-Nasir Muhammad was the ninth Mamluk sultan of Egypt, the youngest son of Sultan Qalawun, and lived from 1285 to 1341. He was inaugurated as sultan three times, from 1293 to 1294, from 1299 to 1309, and from 1309 to 1341. In December 1293, al-Nasir Muhammad's older brother Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil was assassinated, leaving the throne to the 9-year-old al-Nasir Muhammad. For his first two reigns al-Nasir Muhammad played the role of a nominal sultan, with his vice sultan and viziers being the active rulers due to his young age. By the time of his third reign al-Nasir Muhammad was 24 years old and took full command of the Mamluk Sultanate. This period passed with no major conflicts, and marked the high point for Mamluk power in Egypt. Al-Nasir Muhammad set into motion many public works such as the construction of canals, squares, madrasas, and mosques.
This madrasa was begun by Sultan al-Adil Kitbugha, who ruled from 1294 to 1296 (in between al-Nasir Muhammad's first and second reigns), but it was taken over and completed by al-Nasir Muhammad during his second reign (1299-1309). The Islamic historian al-Nuwayri records that al-Adil Kitbugha built the mausoleum along with the prayer iwan, and al-Nasir Muhammad completed the construction of the building and added the minaret.[2] Also, the Islamic historian al-Maqrizi reports that al-Adil Kitbugha oversaw construction of the building up to the top of the inscription band, and al-Nasir Muhammad carried out the rest of its construction.[2] It was inaugurated in 1303, when the minaret was added.[2][1]
Al-Nasir Muhammad was never buried in the mausoleum named after him. He was afraid of unrest after his death because of the rivalry between his emirs, and chose to be buried in secret at his father's mausoleum, the mausoleum of Sultan Qalawun.[2] However, it is the burial site of his mother Bint Sukbay and his son Anuk.[3]
Architecture
General overview
The Madrasa of al-Nasir Muhammad is located next to the mausoleum complex of his father, Sultan Qalawun, and that of the later Sultan
The domed mausoleum is separated from the madrasa by the main entrance corridor, from which it is accessed.
The portal
The most unique aspect of the Madrasa of al-Nasir Muhammad is its gothic marble portal, acquired from a church in the city of
The portal "consists of a pointed arch with a triple recess flanked by three slender columns on each side".[2] At the top of the arch "Allah" has been inscribed. Al-Maqrizi praised this portal for its craftsmanship, saying "Its gate is among the most amazing things the sons of Adam have crafted, for it is made from one piece of white marble, marvelous in form and exalted in workmanship".[8] Although there are several other distinguished portals in mosques and madrasas within Cairo, this gateway holds historical significance, acting as a trophy for the Muslim victory over the Crusaders. Al-Maqrizi's high praise for this portal could be due to this added sentimental value or its exotic appeal.[2]
The minaret
The highly stylized and decorated stucco designs on the lower rectangular section of this minaret add another element of uniqueness to the Madrasa of al-Nasir Muhammad. This is one of the only remaining stucco minarets in Cairo, and includes decorations of medallions, keel-arched niches, and sections filled with geometric and floral patterns.[2] The medallions and keel-arched niches are similar to those of earlier Fatimid and Ayyubid decoration, and the floral patterns are characteristic of stucco carvings from this period.[3] Some of the geometric patterns resemble those used in the mihrab of the al-Azhar Mosque.[2] A band of Kufic script runs through the lower decorative arcade, while a large inscription in Thuluth script crowns the top of the rectangular section, just below a balcony of sculpted muqarnas, and contains the name of al-Nasir Muhammad.[2] Some historians have suggested that the quality and density of the stucco work here indicates the involvement of Maghribi or Andalusi craftsmen in its creation.[1][4]
The minaret is also unusual in that it was built directly above the entrance portal and on top of the main entrance corridor, a design decision that was rare in Mamluk architecture which usually places minarets on their own solid buttresses aside from the entrance in order to ensure greater stability.[2]
Only the bottom rectangular section is original, the second story was most likely added by
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Williams, Caroline (2018). Islamic Monuments in Cairo: The Practical Guide (7th ed.). Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press. pp. 225–226.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Behren-Abouseif, Doris (2007). Cairo of the Mamluks: A History of its Architecture and its Culture. I. B. Tauris & Co Ltd. pp. 152–156.
- ^ a b c d e f "Madrasa wa-Qubbat al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun". ArchNet Digital Library. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ a b O'Kane, Bernard (2016). The Mosques of Egypt. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press. pp. 66–70.
- ISBN 978-1-78969-328-7.
- ^ Mayer, Wolgang (2007). "The Madrasa of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad: the Portal". In Mayer, Wolfgang; Speiser, Philipp (eds.). A future for the past: restorations in Islamic Cairo 1973-2004. Mainz: Verlag Philipp Von Zabern. pp. 95–98.
- ISBN 978-0-8018-7823-7.
- ^ a b c d Al-Maqrizi. Madrasa of Al-Nasir Muhammad. Trans. Martyn Smith.<http://maqrizi.com/mosque_pages/m_nasir_muhammad.html>Pub 2009. Accessed 8 March 2011
- ISBN 978-90-04-25815-0.
30°02′59″N 31°15′40″E / 30.0497504112967°N 31.26106369365175°E
