Al-Madrasa Al-Jalaliyah Al-Ulya in the Historic City of Ibb: An Archaeological, Decorative, and Symbolic Study

Abstract

This research explores the decorative features of Al-Madrasa Al-Jalaliyah Al-Ulya in Ibb (815/1412), a distinguished example of late Rasulid religious architecture, aiming to uncover their artistic and symbolic dimensions. Employing a descriptive-analytical method supported by fieldwork and comparative study, the investigation was structured into an introduction, two main sections, and results. The first section provided a detailed account of the school’s location, design, renovations, and technical description of its rich decorative elements and execution techniques, while the second examined their aesthetic, semantic, and symbolic significance. The study concluded that the decorations form a cohesive artistic system blending calligraphy, geometry, floral motifs, and architectural design, with abstraction and symbolism prevailing-especially in the mihrab and minaret, where religious function and aesthetic meaning converge. It further revealed strong local Yemeni influences within the wider Islamic artistic tradition, underscored by the enduring imprint of Rasulid heritage.