The Impressive Architecture of the World’s Oldest Universities
Some of the most interesting buildings are the ones that have a long history behind them. Such historical buildings range from churches to homes, but by far some of the most peculiar ones are universities and various educational institutions.
Universities are spaces where generations of students receive education and go on to change the world in different ways. And the longest-operating universities have definitely seen many changes over the years. Their history is complicated and their architecture is truly impressive.
Photo by Ben Seymour
#1 University of Al Quaraouiyine, Morocco (est. 859)
Founded in 859, the University of Al Quaraouiyine is located in Fez, Morocco. Though it only became a part of the country’s modern state university system in 1963, it is still considered the oldest operating university in the world. Interestingly, it was founded by Fatima al-Fihri, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, as an associated madrasa which is a type of religious school for studying the Islamic religion. This is why the institution is often referred to as a Mosque-University.
The way the university looks today was directly influenced by the historical changes and trends in architecture that span over 1000 years. The mosque was expanded over the centuries until it became the largest in Africa. It features elements of Islamic and Moroccan architecture and includes a hypostyle interior space for prayers, a courtyard with fountains, a minaret, and several annexes around the mosque itself.
#2 Al-Azhar University, Egypt (est. 970)
Al-Azhar University was founded in Cairo, Egypt in 970. One of its most notable alumni is Saad Zaghul, the leader of the 1919 revolution in Egypt. Opened as a center of Islamic learning, the university was a place for students to study the Qur’an and Islamic law alongside other disciplines. Today, it is considered the main center of Arabic literature and Islamic learning in the world.
Much like the University of Quaraouiyine, the Al-Azhar University also originated as a mosque. Likewise, it was expanded and renovated over the centuries by different rulers. There is a prayer hall, a courtyard, and hallways among other things. Some of the parts added to the building over time got destroyed (such as a courtyard and entrance to it added in the 12th century that were destroyed in 1798.
#3 University of Bologna, Italy (est. 1088)
The University of Bologna in Italy was founded in 1088 by an organized guild of students called a studiorum. It is the oldest continuously operating university in the world (i.e. it didn’t stop operating at any point throughout its existence) and the first that started awarding degrees of higher learning. In fact, the word “universitas” was first coined when the University of Bologna was founded.
It can be a great source of inspiration, but if you are working on an architectural project, it’s a good idea to use CADdetails to find high-quality building product information. The University of Bologna itself has a multicampus structure and has even expanded opening campuses abroad in Brussels, New York, and Shanghai. What’s interesting is that the university didn’t have a permanent location until the mid-16th century, so lectures would be held in homes and rented halls (even in churches).
#4 University of Oxford, United Kingdom (est. 1096)
Founded in 1096, the University of Oxford is located in the UK. It is the oldest English-speaking university in the world and the second oldest continuously operating one. After English students were banned from attending the University of Paris in 1167, they helped the University of Oxford expand and also founded the University of Cambridge. Over the centuries, the two universities would become some of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Today, the University of Oxford has 39 semi-autonomous colleges, 5 permanent private halls, and multiple academic departments organized in four divisions. There is no main campus and the number of facilities makes it a “city university”. Some of the most iconic buildings include the Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian Theatre, and the Examination Schools among others. The University Church of St Mary the Virgin and the Christ Church Cathedral are quite well-known too.
#5 University of Salamanca, Spain (est. 1134)
Located in Spain, the University of Salamanca was established in 1134. One of its most well-known alumni is Aristides Royo, the Former President of Panama. It is considered to be the oldest university in the Hispanic world which currently has over 30 thousand students from 50 different nationalities. If you are a foreign student yourself, you know what it’s like to struggle with languages. You can hire an experienced writer from the writing service Best Essays Education to help you with your studies. By the way, the University of Salamanca is actually renowned for its language studies, humanities, law, and economics.
The university was first built as a Cathedral School in 1130 and today has a number of research centers associated with it. The architecture of the university cannot be discussed without discussing the architecture of Salamanca. The buildings in the city range from Gothic to Romanesque as well as Plateresque and Churrigueresque. The university’s façade with beautiful figures is famous both locally and internationally.
#6 University of Paris, France (est. 1160)
The University of Paris, France was founded in 1160. It was initially a corporation associated with the cathedral school of Notre Dame de Paris and its appearance reflects historical influences in architecture in the region. Some of the most famous historical figures studied at the university, including 2 Popes, Voltaire, Honoré de Balzac, and 49 Nobel laureates (including Marie and Pierre Curie).
The University of Paris had a turbulent history – it didn’t operate between 1793 and 1806 during the French Revolution. In 1968, it was divided into 13 universities with two of them merging into Sorbonne University in 2017 and another two merging into Paris Cite University in 2019.
Final Thoughts
The oldest universities in different parts of the world reflect the architectural trends that were present in those regions and how they changed over the centuries. It’s fascinating to study the history of these buildings, but it is even more interesting to wonder about their future.
Author Bio: Kristen Bray is a professional writer and blogger. She mainly covers topics such as blogging, digital marketing, and self-education. In her free time, she practices yoga and also travels.
