Gallery
Description
Property Name: Al-Salahiyya School, Al-Madrasa Al-Salahiyya
Inventory No: 972-2-17
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2007-10-25
Country (State party): Palestine
Province: Al Quds/Jerusalem
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 31° 46′ 52.78″ N
35° 14′ 10.48″ E
Historic Period: Ayyubid
Year of Construction: 1131
Style:
Original Use: Madrasa
Current Use: School
Architect: Unknown
Significance
It is one of the best-known and the oldest educational institutions in Al-Quds.
Selection Criteria
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
The most prominent sponsor during construction of the church was Queen Melisande (d. AH 556 / AD 1161). She was the wife of Baldwin II (r. AD 1118-1131) who was the ruler of Crusader Jerusalem and the mother of Baldwin III (r. 1143–62). Sultan Salah al-Din Ayyubi (known as Saladin who ruled AH 564–89 / AD 1169–93) transformed the site to an Islamic school. As can still be seen to this day in the Madrasa al-Salahiyya, the original church was constructed on top of a natural cave which is covered by a modern stone dome.
References
Najm, Raip Yusuf, The Treasures of Jerusalem. Arabic Cities Organization, Al-Beti Establishment, 1983.
Sha’th, Shawqi. Al-Quds Al-Shareef. ISESCO, Rabat,1995.