Plan pf Marbel Tiles discovered at the upper floor during restoration and consolidation.

Main Entrance After Restoration and consolidation

Al Ashrafiyyah Madrassa interior picture after restoration

Center for the Restoration of al Aqsa Manuscripts

The restoration and adaptive reuse of Al-Ashrafiyya Madrassa, located in the heart of Jerusalem's Old City within Al-Haram Al-Sharif, transformed the historic building into a center for manuscript restoration. The project preserved the architectural integrity of this Mamluk-era madrassa while adapting its interior to house modern restoration facilities. This balance of conservation and modernization allowed the building to maintain its historical significance while serving a new, scholarly purpose. Al-Ashrafiyya Madrassa was originally commissioned by Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaytbay in the late 15th century as an educational institution, known for its beautiful craftsmanship and prime location overlooking the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Over the centuries, it fell into disuse. The recent restoration revitalized the structure, focusing on preserving its ornate stonework, traditional archways, and other historic elements while introducing new features to support manuscript conservation. This project not only restored a key piece of Islamic heritage but also repurposed it as a space for the preservation of cultural and historical manuscripts, ensuring that both the building and the invaluable documents it protects will continue to serve future generations. UNESCO -Awqaf and Welfare A project /Al Haram Al-Sharif 1999-2005 Architect Samer Rantisi