Lecture on Fatimid Cairo

Construction, Destruction, and Concealment Under Cairo's "Mad" Caliph

Illustration of the map of the world in white and grey.

Prof. Jennifer Pruitt (University of Wisconsin) explores how architecture in Fatimid Cairo was used not just to build a capital, but to shape religious identity and political power under the enigmatic Caliph al-Hakim. The lecture examines cycles of construction, destruction, and concealment to reveal how urban space became a tool of authority, conflict, and control. By rethinking Cairo's medieval landscape, this talk offers a new perspective on how architecture can both reveal and obscure the forces that shape a society.

Date

April 9, 2026

Time

12:40 PM - 2:00 PM

Location

303 International Center, 427 N Shaw Lane