The most unique aspect of the Madrassa of Al-Nasir Muhammad is its gothic marble portal, acquired from a Christian church in the city of Acre after al-Ashraf Khalil's victory against the Crusaders in 1291.
After the battle Khalil appointed his emir ʿAlam al-Din Sanjar al-Shujaʿi al-Mansuri (عَلَمُ الدِّينِ سَنْجَرُ الشُّجَاعِيُّ المَنْصُورِيُّ‎, Romanised: ʿAlam ad-Dīn Sanǧar aš-Šuǧāʿī al-Manṣūrī) "to destroy the city walls and demolish its churches".
When the emir came upon the church with this portal as its gate he decided to transport it in its entirety back to Cairo.
He kept it for the rest of Khalil's reign and for all of Al-Nasir Muhammad's first reign, but it was seized from him by Sultan Al-Adil Kitbugha and used in this madrassa.

The portal "consists of a pointed arch with a triple recess flanked by three slender columns on each side".
At the top of the arch "Allah" has been inscribed.
The medieval Islamic Historian Al-Maqrizi praised this portal for its craftsmanship, saying "Its gate is among the most amazing things the sons of Adam have crafted, for it is made from one piece of white marble, marvelous in form and exalted in workmanship".
Although there are several other distinguished portals in mosques and madrassas within Cairo, this gateway holds historical significance, acting as a trophy for the Muslim victory over the Crusaders.
Al-Maqrizi's high praise for this portal could be due to this added sentimental value or its exotic appeal.
The most unique aspect of the Madrassa of Al-Nasir Muhammad is its gothic marble portal, acquired from a Christian church in the city of Acre after al-Ashraf Khalil's victory against the Crusaders in 1291. After the battle Khalil appointed his emir ʿAlam al-Din Sanjar al-Shujaʿi al-Mansuri (عَلَمُ الدِّينِ سَنْجَرُ الشُّجَاعِيُّ المَنْصُورِيُّ‎, Romanised: ʿAlam ad-Dīn Sanǧar aš-Šuǧāʿī al-Manṣūrī) "to destroy the city walls and demolish its churches". When the emir came upon the church with this portal as its gate he decided to transport it in its entirety back to Cairo. He kept it for the rest of Khalil's reign and for all of Al-Nasir Muhammad's first reign, but it was seized from him by Sultan Al-Adil Kitbugha and used in this madrassa.
The portal "consists of a pointed arch with a triple recess flanked by three slender columns on each side". At the top of the arch "Allah" has been inscribed. The medieval Islamic Historian Al-Maqrizi praised this portal for its craftsmanship, saying "Its gate is among the most amazing things the sons of Adam have crafted, for it is made from one piece of white marble, marvelous in form and exalted in workmanship". Although there are several other distinguished portals in mosques and madrassas within Cairo, this gateway holds historical significance, acting as a trophy for the Muslim victory over the Crusaders. Al-Maqrizi's high praise for this portal could be due to this added sentimental value or its exotic appeal.
Madrassa of Al-Nasir Muhammad