Al-Adiliyya Madrasa

The Al-Adiliyya Madrasa, built in 1215 CE, stands as a quintessential example of Ayyubid architecture in Damascus. Commissioned by Sultan al-‘Adil Sayf al-Din, the brother of Saladin, the complex reflects a harmonious synthesis of religious education and royal funerary design.

The madrasa’s eastern façade features a recessed entrance portal, richly decorated with muqarnas and ablaq stonework. At the heart of the courtyard lies an octagonal fountain, fed by a branch canal from the Barada River, enhancing the spiritual and aesthetic ambiance of the space.

Crowning the site is a domed mausoleum clad in lead tiles, which shelters the tomb of Sultan al-‘Adil. The burial chamber is adorned with inlaid marble, showcasing the craftsmanship of the period.

At the dawn of the 20th century, the madrasa was repurposed as Damascus’ first national museum, before eventually resuming its original academic function.