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Sarghatmish Mosque & Madrassa

 

Mosque and Madrassa of Emir Sarghatmish in Cairo was built by the Mamluk emir Seif al-Din Sarghatmish in 1356. This complex lies to the northeast of the Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Old Cairo. It contains a madrassa (religious school), a mosque and mausoleum of the emir. 

An open courtyard is located in the middle and it is surrounded by iwans and study rooms which serve their purpose for the religious teachings. Sarghatmish, once a very powerful vazier was murdered in 1358. The tomb of Sarghatmish was designed simply yet elegantly with the marble panels decorating the lower parts of the walls. 

Mosque and Madrassa of Emir Sarghatmish seen from the street
Mosque and Madrassa of Emir Sarghatmish seen from the street
The mausoleum dome is built in typical Mamluk style
The mausoleum dome is built in typical Mamluk style
Entrance of the complex
Entrance of the complex
An open courtyard is located in the middle and it is surrounded by iwans and study rooms
This octagonal fountain in located in the middle of the courtyard
Here main dome of the Sarghatmish can be seen rising above the internal walls, while the fountain lies in the middle
This is the grave of Emir Sarghatmish which forms the mausoleum part of the complex
Sarghatmish was murdered in 1358
Details of the area around the mausoleum of Sarghatmish
Marble is extensively used in this building to enhance the beauty

The Sarghatmish Madrasa is one of the finest examples of Mamluk architecture. The layout is cruciform or in the shape of a cross. It has an ornate 15.5 meter façade that contains the main portal leading to the interior of the complex.

The rectangular windows in the upper walls of the facade and rear of the complex are placed in the living quarters of students. When visiting Ibn Tulun Mosque, spiral minaret of the Ibn Tulun Mosque offers a beautiful view of the Emir Sarghatmish complex. 

A large lantern hangs from the ceiling of the dome inside the mausoleum
This lantern hangs from the ceiling of the mosque
This lantern hangs from the ceiling of the mosque
Mehrab of the mosque with wooden pulpit (minbar) seen next to it
Mehrab of the mosque with wooden pulpit (minbar) seen next to it
Wooden stalactite decorations inside the complex
One of the iwans of the mosque and madrassa of Sarghatmish, this building was restored in 1940
One of the iwans of the mosque and madrassa of Sarghatmish, this building was restored in 1940
Colourful marble beside one of the iwans - this madrassa is consiedred to be one of the most beautiful in Cairo
Colourful marble beside one of the iwans - this madrassa is consiedred to be one of the most beautiful in Cairo
These windows belong to the study rooms of the students who used to live and study there
In this photo, minaret of the mosque is on the left, water fountain in the middle and dome of the mausoleum is located to the right
In this photo, minaret of the mosque is on the left, water fountain in the middle and dome of the mausoleum is located to the right
Minaret of the Sarghatmish Mosque seen from the Ibn Tulun Mosque
Minaret of the Sarghatmish Mosque seen from the Ibn Tulun Mosque
The spiral minaret of the Ibn Tulun Mosque offers a beautiful view of the Emir Sarghatmish complex
The spiral minaret of the Ibn Tulun Mosque offers a beautiful view of the Emir Sarghatmish complex