Mamluk Jerusalem begins around 1250 and ends in 1516. It is believed that the Mamluk were a grassroots movement of the people without power. During this time, Jerusalem becomes a religious center, as the Ziyara ("visit") to Jerusalem becomes an important pilgrimage to the city (this is comparable to the Hajj in Islamic faith). Though Jerusalem becomes increasingly spiritual, there is a constant decline in its political and military significance, as it is now city with no defense, for the walls were dismantled in 1219 during the Crusades.
At this point, the city is still Islamic, and we see the building of schools, hospices, and hostels where Crusader structures are used as stone quarries. Many madrasas (schools that preach Islam) are founded during this period.
Then from 1351 to 1353, Jerusalem suffers from the Black Death.
Characteristic of Mamluk architecture is the building of walls with alternating red and white stones. As we can see in the Dome of the Rock, entrances are made monumental, and there is extensive use of the Muqarnas design for domes. This is where square bricks are used to make the round dome shape.
More markers of the city's Islam centered nature include the Al Madrasa al Ashrafiyya and the Ghawanima Minaret. The former is a Qur'aniic school, called the "third jewel of Jerusalem" after the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque. It was built in 1485, by Sultan al Ashrat, who was known for his many other architectural feats. The latter is located in the Northwest corner of the Haram; built in 1298 by Chief Judge Qadi of Jerusalem, it has foundations of an Umayyad minaret and it uses Crusader columns and capitals.
Charitable foundations in Mamluk Jerusalem include mausoleums, schools, public water fountains, and hospices. Burial near the Haram increased in importance from 13th century and onwareds as traditions grew that linked Jerusalem and especially the Haram as the place of Final Judgment.
During the Mamluk period, development of the Haram involved the addition of minarets, a summer pulpit, and the restoration of the Dome and the Al Aqsa Mosque.
Co-occurring at this time is the growth of the Jewish Quarter. Jerusalem is no longer political, but increasingly spiritual. Rabbi Moses ben Nachman makes aliyah in 1267, as he founds the Ramban Synagogue (Jewish Center). He also develops kabbalah, or Jewish Mysticism, where the Temple symbolized the path to God. Rabbi Moses was believed to be one of the first Zionists, who interpreted everything about Judaism through a mystic sense; he is also believed to have had an aggressive refutation of Christians.
After the Mamluk period, came the Ottomon era which lasted from 1516 to 1918. The Ottomans take Constantinople in 1453. Selim I beats the Mamluks in 1517 at Marj Dabik (N. Syria); he is described as the new possessor of the "first qiblah." Jerusalem peacefully surrenders in 1516. With the establishment of the Ottoman empire comes a strong central government.
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (1520 - 1566) partakes in many public works for Jerusalem. For instance, he rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem, extensively campaigns for the refurbishment of the Haram and its monuments, and replaces mosaics on the exterior of the Dome with Syrian tiles. His efforts parallel those of Mecca and Medina, as he is working to keep Jerusalem as the third greatest city of Islam. Finally, he founds a Shari'a court (court where the law is based on the Qur'an).
Ottoman architecture is characterized by the Damascus Gate (largest gate in Jerusalem leading to the Muslim Quarter), the Jaffa Gate, and St. Stephen's Gate (named after St. Stephen, who was believed to have been stoned at this location). The Western Wall was given to the Jews by Suleiman as a place of prayer. The Western Wall eventually begins to attract myths (that were originally for the Temple). Important to understand, however, is that the Western Wall refers to the wall of the retaining structure that was built around the Temple; it is not a wall of the Temple itself.
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