Salihiyya Madrasa, 13th-century Islamic educational complex in Islamic Cairo, Egypt
The Salihiyya Madrasa comprises two parallel wings separated by a passageway, featuring open inner courts and traditional iwans for classroom instruction. The structure sits on al-Muizz Street, where only its minaret and portions of the central facade remain visible beneath modern shops.
Sultan As-Salih Ayyub established this institution in 1242, creating the first madrasa in Cairo to offer teachings from all four Sunni schools of law. The founding marked a turning point in educational history by uniting and formalizing instruction across different legal traditions.
The building introduced minarettes to madrasas, departing from earlier traditions that reserved these architectural elements exclusively for Friday mosques.
Visiting this location requires patience when navigating the crowded streets of the old city and searching for the partially hidden architectural details. It is best to arrive early in the morning when shops are less busy and lighting conditions are favorable.
The mausoleum contains the oldest Egyptian prayer niche decorated with marble, surrounded by carved wooden Quranic friezes. These rare wooden carvings showcase craftsmanship from a period when such decorative work was seldom preserved at this location.
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