The beautiful 15th-century Madrasa Al-Jaqmaqiya, right opposite the north entrance to the Umayyad Mosque, provides a precious glimpse into one of the most impressive religious school buildings that are open to the public in Damascus, a masterpiece of Mamluk architecture featuring typical ablaq zebra-striped masonry and intricate geometric patterns. The small museum inside is fittingly dedicated to the evolution of the Arabic script and the delicate art of calligraphy, using stone inscriptions dating back to pre-islamic times, manuscripts, and ornate religious texts.