Shams El Din M. Tantawy MA, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Minia, Minia, Egypt stantawy@uae.us
ABSTRACT
The major development of the dome in Egypt was in the medieval ages, predominantly during the Mamluk period – the self perpetuating corporation of military slaves [1]. They ruled Egypt for more than two and a half centuries 1250-1517 A.D.: divided into two salient stylistic époques. The scale of the Mamluk buildings reflects the wealth of their patrons which was a result of the domination of the trade route between East and West. Wealth encouraged the expression of a high exquisite taste, which was originated and developed in Cairo. Their creativity was prominent in implementing new ideas and expressing high cultural meanings within a vivid and integrated physical setting.
The Mamluk buildings were mainly constructed of rubble and dressed with stones. In the early period of their rule wooden domes and ceilings were used to cover bigger spaces, while brick and stone domes were used for smaller spaces due to lack of masonry stone construction knowledge. Towards the late 14th century, the Mamluks changed the architectural conceptual designs of their buildings to cope with the crowded context of Cairo. They developed the construction of domes that adorned the skyline of Cairo with high and elegant architectural profiles.
After the fall of the Mamluks, the development of the masonry dome declined reflecting the impact of changing economic and social conditions on architectural aesthetics.
KEYWORDS: Islamic architecture, domes, traditional buildings, architectonics
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