Madrasa and Khanqah of Salar and Sanjar Al-Jawli
It was established by Prince Saif al-Din Salar al-Mansuri and Prince Alaa al-Din Sanjar al-Gawli, two princes of the Bahri Mamluk era, in the year 703 AH/1303 AD. It is located on Abdul Majeed al-Labban Street (formerly Marasina) in the Sayyida Zeinab district of Cairo. This facility consists of several units: two square-shaped tombs, one for Salar and the other for Sanjar al-Gawli. They are preceded by a vaulted corridor through which we reach the rest of the facility, which includes a courtyard surrounded by a number of Sufi cells and a main iwan containing the mihrab in its southeastern wall.
| Trace number: | 221 |
| Date of construction: | 703 AH / 1303 AD |
| Administrative District: | Sayyida Zeinab |
| Founder's name: | Princes Saif al-Din Salar al-Tatar al-Mansuri and Ala al-Din Sanjar ibn Abdullah al-Jawli |
| Building annexes: | khanqah and dome |
| Status of the artifact: | Existing |
| Location: | Abdul Majeed Al-Labban Street (formerly Marassina) |
| Type classification: | Madrasa |
Founder:
The two princes, Saif al-Din Salar al-Tatar al-Mansuri and Ala' al-Din Sanjar ibn Abdullah al-Jawli, were princes of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun. Prince Ala' al-Din was born in Amad in 653 AH/1255 AD, where he was purchased by a prince named Jawul, who attributed him to him. He later served Sultan Qalawun, rising to become a Mamluk commander in the Levant. He was later appointed governor of Gaza and a Mamluk commander in Egypt in 1328 AD during the reign of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad. He was then appointed governor of Hama, and from there he returned to the province of Gaza. He then returned to Egypt, where he studied Hadith and the jurisprudence of Imam al-Shafi'i. He died in 745 AH/1346 AD.
Prince Saif al-Din was of Tatar origin, having been captured during the war between Sultan Baibars and the Tatars. He was bought by al-Mansur Qalawun, and rose through his service until he became one of the notabless of his Mamluk. He was later appointed deputy of the Sultanate during the reign of al-Nasir Muhammad, and was in charge of the affairs of the state for 11 years. He was nominated to assume the Sultanate in 1308/1309 AD, but Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad arrested him and imprisoned him until he died of starvation in his prison in 710 AH/1310 AD.
Location:
Located on Mount Yashkur, next to the Kabsh Mosque, near Ahmed the Ibn Tulun Mosque, Prince Salar al-Nasiri established it as a Madrasa and khanqah, serving both educational purposes and devoting worship to it. It was inaugurated in 703 AH/1302 AD. Prince Sanjar al-Jawli later renovated it, and the building is attributed to him. Evidence of this is the founding text above the entrance.
Architectural Description:
The facade is unique in its kind, featuring two domes flanked by a minaret, followed by the main entrance. This facade ends at the top with crenellated balconies.
Main Entrance:
A staircase leads up to the door with its stone arch, followed by the courtyard and the carved staircase. It also has another staircase leading to the interior, and next to it are the Sufi cells with decorated windows (4).
The two domes:
The two domes are made of brick, and their interior transitions from square to circular are accomplished by four rows of muqarnas, topped by a frieze of Kufic calligraphy. The two domes are distinguished by their polygonal exterior, each with a pointed arch that descends vertically after the arch begins. The two domes are built of brick covered with a layer of plaster.
The minaret:
The minaret is built of stone and consists of a square base, topped by an octagonal area, followed by another circular area with openings. The top of the minaret is shaped like a polygonal dome, and each floor of the minaret ends with rows of muqarnas. Behind the two shrines is a corridor covered with intersecting vaults with decoratively perforated window openings. At the end of the corridor is a square room topped by another small dome.
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