Fodor's Expert Review Madrasa of Sarghatmish

Completed in 1356 by the emir who succeeded Shaykhu, Sarghatmish was probably designed by the same architect who designed Sultan Hassan. The layout is a cruciform plan—its innovative placement of the madrasa in the corners is identical to that of the great mosque—although smaller in scale. But far from being a diminutive copy of a masterpiece, Sarghatmish has several features that make it interesting in its own right, the first being a tall arched entrance that rises slightly above the facade. Most significant are the two domes, which are very unusual for Cairo. One has unfortunately been renovated with concrete, the other is sublime. Built in brick, it has a slight bulge reminiscent of the Persian style domes of Iran and central Asia. The interior space is pleasing, and replete with Islamic detail in marble and stone.