The Sultan Hassan Madrassa is the Islamic world’s most memorable monument. If the Pyramids of Giza are the most astounding features of Ancient Egypt, Sultan Hassan Madrassa is that of Islamic Egypt. The founder of this gigantic monument is the Sultan Hassan, son of the great Mamluke {mercenary soldiers} Sultan Al-Nasser Mohamed Ibn Qalawoun.
The Madrassa was built of stones, but some internal parts and details were built of bricks, faced with stones.

The Madrassa-Mosque resembles a cruciform (the shape of a cross), with an open courtyard surrounded by 4 iwans. An iwan is a vaulted hall with three high walls and an opening where the fourth wall should be. It contains 4 Madrassas (religious schools) and is 7,906 square meters large. Its many sides make it quite distinguishable. It has 4 facades with the 2 main ones being most important.