Dome

This two-storied, brick historic monument is situated close to the left bank of the Tigris River in the al-Maiden neighborhood of Baghdad. While there is much contention over the original date of the site, stylistically it was probably constructed during al-Mustansir's caliphate, dating it to the late Abbasid period (1175-1230). Excavations and restoration efforts provide evidence that it most likely functioned as a madrasa rather than a palace. Source: ArchnetSources: Al-Janab, Tariq Jawad. 1982. Studies In Mediaeval Iraqi Architecture. Baghdad: Republic of Iraq, Ministry of Culture and Information State Organization of Antiquities and Heritage, 68-72. JPC Inc. 1984. Rusafa: Study on Conservation and Redevelopment of Historical Centre of Baghdad City/Republic of Iraq, Amanat al Assima. Japan: JCP Inc., 47. Khalil, Jabir and Strika, Vincenzo. 1987. The Islamic Architecture of Baghdad; the Results of a Joint Italian -Iraqi Survey. Napoli: Istituto Universitario Orientale, 71-74. Michell, George. ed. 1978. Architecture of the Islamic World; Its History and Social Meaning. London: Thanes & Hudson, 247."The so-called Abbasid Palace (early 13th century) in the citadel was probably a madrasa. Its fine decoration in cut brick and stucco is among the richest and most elaborate of its kind before the 14th century. It has been made into a museum illustrating different features of Islamic architecture."plan (drawing), Akhtar Badshah after John Hoag