13th/14th century A.D
On a street in Cairo sit five madrasas. A madrasa is defined in Ching's book as "a Muslim theological school." These buildings are built directly beside one another, not far from the Sultan's palace. All of them facing Mecca, the Islamic sacred place. Although most tombs were not allowed to be inside the city, these schools were each linked with the mausoleum of a sultan. 
One of the most magnificent tombs belonged to, and still does in his death, Sultan Qalawun. I would describe the tomb to be gothic style with an egyptian twist. The main structure is rather octagonal while the tomb itself is very close to being completely square. Inside the tomb, a set of eight piers and columns refer back to the octagonal architecture. Atop the piers and columns are pointed arches that support an enormous dome. The columns are Corinthian and made of marble. The walls are said to be covered with astonishing decorations of mosaics and marble.
http://nmhtthornton.com/mehistorydatabase/fatimid_mamluk_architecture_cairo.php
D., Francis, Mark M., and Vikramaditya Prakash. A Global History of Architecture. 2nd. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2010. 412-413. Print.
gothic style with an egyptian twist, for sure. interesting selection of photographs. annotations?
ReplyDeletemore active title? bullets of information?