Mustansiriya Madrasa

Baghdad, Iraq

One of the earliest universities in the world and the first to teach all four Sunni schools of Islamic law simultaneously. A masterpiece of Abbasid architecture that survived the Mongol destruction of Baghdad.

Historical Context

Founded by Caliph al-Mustansir bi-llah in 1227 CE, the madrasa was the most prestigious educational institution in the Abbasid world. It survived the Mongol destruction of Baghdad in 1258, though much of the surrounding city was razed.