Binnenplaats en minaretten van de Al-Azhar-moskee in Caïro c. 1870 - 1898

This photograph captures the courtyard and minarets of the Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, its spires reaching heavenward. These minarets, slender and ornate, serve as a visual symbol of the connection between the earthly and divine realms. Consider the echo of these vertical forms in the ancient obelisks of Egypt, which similarly pierced the sky. This reaching gesture transcends mere architectural function, tapping into a deeply ingrained human impulse to connect with higher powers. Throughout history, we find similar forms—from the towering ziggurats of Mesopotamia to the soaring spires of Gothic cathedrals. Each structure embodies a reaching for the heavens, reflecting humanity's spiritual aspirations across time and cultures. Such repetition of verticality speaks to our collective memory. It is a subconscious yearning for transcendence that continues to shape our sacred spaces.