Salihiyya Madrasa

We are standing in the legendary Bayn al-Qasrayn square, on Al-Muizz Street. This was the absolute epicenter of medieval Islamic Cairo. …

Look closely at the exterior facade of the dome facing the street. Notice the distinct architectural fenestration—the arrangement of the windows. …

As we approach the entrance, direct your attention to the beautiful Arabic calligraphy carved into the stone and wood. This is the Ayyubid Naskh script. …

Moving past the dome, we look toward the remains of the adjacent madrasa, which the Sultan himself commissioned before his death. While much of it is ruined, you can still perceive the grand scale of the original institution. …

We now step into the solemn interior of the mausoleum itself. Before you sits a magnificent wooden cenotaph. …

Look to the walls flanking the mihrab, the niche that indicates the direction of prayer. You will see a series of built-in wooden cabinets. …

Stand exactly where we are now, in front of the tomb. You are standing on the most important political stage of the early Mamluk empire. …

As we conclude our visit, let us reflect on the fate of this sacred space. For nearly half a century, the Salihiyya dome was the beating heart of Mamluk political legitimacy. …