Comparative Analysis between the Architecture of Bimaristans in Egyptian and Syrian during Mamluk’s Era

Abstract

Bimaristans are a building type which emerged in the Islamic world equivalent to nowadays hospitals. Most of the Islamic architecture studies focus on mosques, then mausoleums. This makes the research field open for more studies on building types like baths, wekalat, etc. Bimaristans remain within the scope of structures that need more studies through comparatives and analytical analyses. This paper introduces comparative analysis between bimaristans in Cairo and Aleppo, with particular focus on those constructed during the Mamluk’s era. This comparison highlights the points of similarity between the concepts that influenced the designers by that time with respect to their different locations, surrounding context and historical background. Such factors caused to make distinguished differences that gave each location its unique identity. This research depends on inductive-deductive methodology; inductive by reading and explaining the architectural drawings of both case-studies, and deductive from the theories and researches that justifies the reasons lied behind the end architectural product. Consequently, analyses the comparative results. The study provides architects and scholars with a clear image about the unique private identity of each zone, although they stand on the same believes using analytical analyses of bimaristans. Hence, contemporary architects in the Arab world can recognize the spiritual concepts behind the architectural and planning dimensions of bimaristans’ discrete design, that they may use or re-use to regenerate new forms that reflect their local identity and satisfy local cultural needs. Also, the study clarifies the role of local artists in articulating such concepts using carved geometrical reliefs, in addition to the documentation role of decorating relieved texts on those structures.