The story of Cairo . great mosque of SultanHasan, which includes most of the characteristics of theNasiry epoch, and displays them on the grandest Hasan,—who sat on the throne from 1347 to1351, was deposed by the emirs, and then restoredfrom 1354 to 1361,—was far from an interesting orestimable character, and his mosque was his one gooddeed. It was built between 1356 and 1359 () and is said to have cost him 1000 dinars aday, but one distrusts the round figures of Easternchroniclers. The sultan was so charmed with hismasterpiece that he cut off the architects hand inthe
The story of Cairo . great mosque of SultanHasan, which includes most of the characteristics of theNasiry epoch, and displays them on the grandest Hasan,—who sat on the throne from 1347 to1351, was deposed by the emirs, and then restoredfrom 1354 to 1361,—was far from an interesting orestimable character, and his mosque was his one gooddeed. It was built between 1356 and 1359 () and is said to have cost him 1000 dinars aday, but one distrusts the round figures of Easternchroniclers. The sultan was so charmed with hismasterpiece that he cut off the architects hand inthe vague idea that its loss would cripple his geniusand prevent his repeating his success. The mosque isof the usual form of medresa, a cross formed of acentral court and four deep transepts or porticoes, andthe founders tomb may be compared to a lady-chapelbehind the chancel or eastern portico. The outsidedoes not of course reveal the cruciform character ofthe interior, since the angles are filled with numerous22B. GATEWAY OF SULTAN UASANs MOSQUE 229 The Dome Builders rooms and offices.^ The prevailing impression fromwithout is one of great height, compared with othermosques. The walls are 113 feet high and builtof fine cut stone from the pyramids, and have thepeculiarity, rare in Saracen architecture, of springingfrom a socle. Windows—two with horseshoe arches,the rest simple grilles—slightly relieve the monotonyof the broad expanse of wall; but the most beautifulfeature is the splendid cornice built up of six tiers ofstalactites each overlapping the one below, which crownsthe whole wall. There are some graceful pilasters orengaged columns at the angles, and a magnificent portalset in an arched niche, 66 feet high, vaulted in a halfsphere which is worked up to by twelve tiers of pen-dentives. Bold arabesque medallions and borders,geometrical panels, and corner columns with stalactite-capitals, enrich this stately gate. Inside, the first impression again is of size rather
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookidstoryofcairo, bookyear1906
