MIU Hosts Guest Lecturer on Mamluk Architecture in Egypt

30 Nov 2023

The Department of Architecture at MIU had the honour of hosting guest speaker Dr. Radwa Zaki, an archaeologist and researcher specializing in Islamic antiquities and the history of Egyptian architecture, on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.

Dr. Zaki currently serves as the Head Researcher at the Center for Islamic Civilization Studies at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, holding a PhD in Islamic architecture from the University of Alexandria. She received training in cultural heritage from Sapienza University and the National Research Center in Rome, Italy, and in Islamic heritage from the University of Granada and the Institute of Arab Studies in Granada, Spain, as well as from the Center for Middle Eastern and Near Eastern Studies at the University of Marburg in Germany.

During her talk, Dr. Zaki discussed her book titled “The Cairo of Mamluk.” In this publication, she explores the impact of Mamluk architecture in the 19th century, shedding light on the political and social context that led to its re-emergence. Dr. Zaki traces the features of the Mamluk style in Egyptian architecture through various examples of religious buildings, service structures, and public constructions. Additionally, she analyzes the reasons for the revival of the Mamluk style during that period in Egypt’s history and explores the motivations that led to its earlier abandonment. Finally, she highlighted the manifestations of Western appreciation for Mamluk architectural art in contrast to Ottoman art and architecture.