Medieval Madrasas of Tripoli: Architectural Heritage, Digital Documentation, and Conservation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65408/cird557537Keywords:
Madrasa, Religion, Mamluk Architecture, Tripoli, Lebanon, Heritage Valorisation, Informatics, Digital DocumentationAbstract
Despite its Phoenician origins, the historic core of Tripoli, Lebanon, developed largely under Mamluk rule from the late thirteenth century onward. Its urban fabric integrates religious, civic, and commercial institutions within a traditional Islamic urban structure. Concentrated near the Great Mosque, the medieval madrasas played significant roles in the city’s religious and educational life. While sharing architectural characteristics, they exhibit distinctive features, and their interior spatial configurations largely differ from conventional Mamluk madrasa typologies. This study examines their architectural characteristics, historical functions, transformations, and current conditions, exploring revitalisation through an integrated urban heritage conservation approach. It also evaluates the potential of Heritage Informatics, including digital documentation, geographic information systems (GIS), photogrammetry, three-dimensional recording, and Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM), to support documentation, monitoring, conservation, and sustainable heritage valorisation. Integrating architectural, historical, spatial, functional, and condition data, these approaches can inform conservation strategies and strengthen understanding of the madrasas within Tripoli’s historic urban context.
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