Activities in Islamic Cairo

Khan El Khalili Cairo Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Khan El Khalili Cairo Egypt, once known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period. In fact, it now usually just called the ‘Khan’. The names of it and the Muski market often used to mean either. Moreover, Khan El Khalili Cairo market built in 1382 by the Emir Djaharks El Khalili. It was in the heart of the Fatimid City. El Khalili Khan Cairo Egypt and Al Muski market to the west comprise one of Cairo’s most important shopping areas. They represent the market tradition which established Cairo as a major center of trade. At the Khan, one will still find foreign merchants. Moreover, the market involved in the spice monopoly controlled by the Mamluks. This encouraged the Europeans to search for new routes to the East. It led Columbus to discover the Americas.

Khan El Khalili Cairo was also a center for subversive groups to raids. It was before the Sultan El Ghouri rebuilt much of the area in the early 16th century. Moreover, it was trade which caused Cairo’s early wealth. It was even from the time of the Babylon fort which was often a settlement of traders. El Khalili Khan Cairo Egypt situated at one corner of a triangle of markets. These markets go south to Bab Zuweila and west to Azbakiyyah. The area bordered on the south by Al-Azhar Street and on the west by the Muski Market. In fact, Al Muski is one of the old original gates guards the entrance to the original courtyard. Moreover, it lies midway down Sikket al-Badistan (street).

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On a narrow street leading off Al Badistand, one will find El Fishawy cafe. It was once a meeting place for local artists. It frequented by the Nobel Award winning Naguib Mahfouz. He is one of Egypt’s most well known authors. There are any number of canvas which cover the streets such as the one pictured to the right. Egyptian buyers generally shop in the area north of Al-Badistan and to the west. It is where prices may be lower. Better deals for gold and silver found west of Kahn El Khalili. It is along the “street of the gold sellers”. It is also further on one will find the Brass and Coppersmith Markets. The Khan in fact is a tourist trap. All manner of souvenirs may purchased there. It goes from statues to ‘personalized’ cartouches to papyrus art.

In fact, Khan El Khalili Cairo is the best place to buy souvenirs. This because Khan El Khalil is the best and cheapest place. One discovers that the Egyptians are here as well. They buying their fabrics and clothes, pots, and other ordinary household needs. Step into this world by heading west Muski street from Midan Hussein. Many of the shops for specific goods clustered along specific streets. They are also in specific areas. For example, there is the Coppersmith’s street. This is less true then most guide books would have one believe. Many shops, particularly those catering specifically to tourists have a variety of different products. The Medieval atmospheres of this market and the labyrinth layout of the streets gives a lot of pleasure.

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Cafes, restaurants, shops, large number of vendors and buyers constitute a dynamic panorama of the place. In Khan El Khalili Cairo you can drinking Hibiscus, Karakare or Helba. There are many of the various typical Egyptian beverages is a pleasant experience. For smokers, there is the Shisha, or water pipe which they can try. One can take the opportunity to safely enjoy the walk through the narrow streets of Khan El-Khalili. We strongly recommend visiting this vivid bazaar. Keep in mind that in open traditional markets, the prices not fixed. Remember to bargain (haggle) to get the best price. Khan market is place where art and commerce come together. It gives a unique, remarkable and harmonious experience.

Islamic Art Museum Cairo Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Islamic Art Museum Cairo, Egypt, indeed is one of the greatest in the world. In fact, the museum has an exceptional collection of rare woodwork and plaster artifacts. Moreover, the museum also has metal, ceramic, glass, crystal, and textile objects of all periods. They are from all over the Islamic world. In fact, the Museum displays about 2,500 artifacts in 25 galleries. It houses more than 102,000 objects rest in storage. The collection includes indeed rare manuscripts of the Qur’an. They have some calligraphy written in silver ink, on pages with elaborate borders. Moreover, the Islamic Art Museum conducted archaeological excavations in Fustat area. Furthermore, it organized many national and international exhibitions.

The museum closed for renovations in 2003, and re-opened 8 years later, in August 2010. The restoration cost was about ten million USD. Khedive Ismail approved to establish a museum of Arab Art in the Courtyard of Baybars mosque. In fact, it not carried out until 1880. It was when Khedive Tawfiq ordered the Ministry of Endowments to set it up. Julius Franz was an Austrian Scholar of Hungarian Descent. Moreover, he also was the Head of the Technical department at the Awqaf. He suggested that the ruined Mosque of Al Hakim to be a provisional seat for the Museum. It was in 1881. A gallery furnished there in the eastern arcade. It consisting of 111 architectural pieces taken from other monuments.

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In the same year, Khedive Tawfiq approved the “Committee of Arab Antiquities”. Its duties included running the arab museum and providing it with objects. As a result, the arcades of the mosque filled to overflowing. In 1884, a two-storey structure built in the courtyard. It was to house the collection of 900 objects. In 1887 Max Hertz, also Austro-Hungarian, replaced Julius Franz. He began making many changes. He suggested the name of the Museum back then as the gallery of Arab Antiquities. By 1895 the collection numbered to 1,641. The new building became too crowded. That was why he requested the Awqaf to build a larger Museum.

In 1899 the foundations laid for the present larger building in Bab Al-Khalq area of Cairo. In fact, the Islamic Art Museum building designed by Alfonso Manescalo. It completed in 1902 in new Mamluk style. Moreover, the museum upper story housing the National Library. The old museum in Al Hakim demolished in the 1970, during refurbishment of the mosque there. Islamic Art Museum faces Historic Cairo. It has two entrances. One on the north-eastern side and the other on the south-eastern side. A beautiful garden with a fountain once led to the first entrance but later removed. The entrance on Port Said Street features a luxurious facade. It is rich with decorations and recesses. They inspired by Islamic architecture in Egypt from various periods.

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Islamic Art Museum is a two-stores building. The lower one contains the exhibition halls. The upper floor contains the general stores. The basement contains a store connected with the Restoration Section. On January 24th, 2014 a car bomb attack targeting the Cairo police headquarters. It caused considerable damage to the Museum. In fact, it destroyed many artifacts. It estimated that 20-30% of the artifacts will need restoration. The blast also damaged the buildings facade. It erased intricate designs in the Islamic style. The Egyptian National Library and Archives in the same building also affected.

Ibn Tulun mosque Cairo Egypt tours, prices, booking

Ibn Tulun mosque Cairo Egypt is indeed the oldest intact functioning Islamic monument in Cairo. Moreover, it is the third mosque which constructed for the whole community. Furthermore, it is for the congregation which joined together for the Friday noon prayer. Ibn Tulun mosque Cairo indeed is a rare example which preserved of the art. Moreover, it is also an architecture of the classical period of Islam. Ahmed Ibn Tulun born about 835 A.D. He was one of the Turkish commanders in Samarra in Iraq. Moreover, he received his military and theological training in Samarra and Tarsus. His intelligence and courage attracted the attention of the Khalif. In 868, he made proxy for his step-father Bakabak’s governorship of Egypt. He established himself as an independent ruler for the Province. An abortive attempt to remove him encouraged Ahmed to attach Syria.

Ahmed Ibn Tulun founded a new Capital called Alqatai around the hill of Gabal Yashkur. It is to the North East of Al Fustat, razing the Christian and the Jewish cemetery. The site chosen for his mosque was an outcrop of rock which called Gabal Yashkur. Indeed, Ibn Tulun Mosque Cairo is one of the biggest mosques in Egypt. The mosque together with the ziyada occupie an area of 6.5 acres. In fact, it is square in shape, measures 162 meter in length and 161 meter in width. Moreover, the area which dedicated for the prayer is rectangular in shape measures about 137 x 118 meter. The mosque designed as open court or central square Sahn (about 92 m) Surrounded by four riwaqs. The riwaq of the qibla contains five arcades. Each of the other riwaqs consists of two arcades.

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The mosque surrounded by Ziyadas ( extension) on three sides. In fact, Ziyada is an enclosed space or precinct. It was to separate the mosque from the markets. It is also to protect the mosque and the prayers from the noise of the street. Moreover, outside Ibn Tulun Mosque Cairo on the Qibla wall, there was a palace. It called Dar El Imarah which means house of the government. In fcat, it destroyed now. Its entrance is near to the Mihrab. Ahmed Ibn Tulun used it to enter to the mosque before leading the prayer. Furthermore, The mosque has 19 doors on 3 sides. Each door corresponding to another door in the ziyadas. There are another three doors which cut in the wall of the quibla. The lintels composed of palm-trunks. They boxed with wood and above a releasing arch.

In fact, some of these doors still keep their original carving. On the right hand central Pier of the third arcade from the Sahn is the Foundation Slate. In fact, it includes the Foundation Inscription. Moreover, it is a rectangular slab of marble ( 1,6 m X 97 cm) which written in Kufic inscription. It contains the verse of El Kursi ( Ayet El Kursi) from the Koran. Furthermore, it contains also the date of 265 A.H. The walls of Ibn Tulun mosque and the Ziyada crowned with crenelation. They are like the paper which cut-outs of human figures with linked arms. In fact, the mosque is square in shape, each of its sides measures about 92 m. The original courtyard not paved. It filled with pebbles as it is today. It is because this space intended for prayer. The Fawarah in the middle of the Sahn is the third one.

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The first one was the original which built by Ahmed Ibn Tulun. It gilded and stood on ten columns of marble. The second one was Al Aziz. In fact, it now destroyed. The actual one is the third which built by Sultan Lagin Al Mansoury. It is among some other works he did for Ibn Tulun mosque Cairo. Moreover, it is 14 x 12 meter and it is twenty meter in height. This Fawarah built by the architect Ibn Al Roumyyah. It has a Mameluk design. Moreover, it stands on 4 pointed arches. The zone of transition stepped corners with a window in the uppermost step. Furthermore, three windows of three lights are on each side. The dome is plain without a drum and raised on squinch. The arcades around the courtyard are deeper on the quibla Riwaq. Moreover, the sanctuary side formed by pointed Arches on brick Piers.

Rosettes and windows form a continuous and simple decoration. Moreover, these arcades supported by piers. Unlike columns. These Piers are rectangular. In fact, they decorated with four masonry-engaged columns. Their capitals have the same bell shape as the bases and both plastered and carved. Furthermore, all the arcades had soffits of curved stucco. They are like those which have restored in the Southern arcade. The Arches of the arcades pointed. They outlined with an edge of carved stucco. They spring from oblong supports rounded at the corners by pilasters or engaged columns. The Qibla Riwak of Ibn Tulun mosque includes 5 aisles deeper than the others. They are parallel to the Prayer niche ( the Mihrab). Each of the other riwaq includes just 2 aisles . This Riwaq actually has 6 prayer niches or mihrabs.

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The main Mihrab is in the middle of the Qibla wall. It is the tallest and the only concave one. The others are flat. It consists of a double pointed arched recess flanked by a pair Byzantine style marble. Its stucco molding and the 2 stucco bosses on each side of the arch are original. The interior decorated in Mameluk style made by the sultan Lajin. The upper decoration of painted wood. Strips of poly-chrome marble, above which is a band of Naskhi inscription. It is in black mosaic on a gold background containing the shahada. The Dikka of the Mouballegh (the bench of the Mouballegh) situated in Riwaq. Al Qibla near the courtyard. It is a wide bench of marble columns which used for communicating the words of the Imam during the prayer.

The ceiling of Ibn Tulun mosque in Cairo, composed of Palm logs boxed in wooden panels. Below the ceiling there are a long band of inscription on sycamore wood. It runs around the whole mosque. It contains verses from the Koran. This frieze is 2 Km in length and it is calculate one fifteenth of the whole holly book. There is a legend that the boards for this inscription left over from the Noah’s Ark. The upper part of Ibn Tulun mosque Cairo wall pierced with pointed arch windows. They flanked with colonnades. The windows alternate on the outside wall within blind niches with a shell conch. There are 128 windows and their arrangements on the walls. They are independent of the arches so that not every arch has a centered window.

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The functions of these arched windows of the arched windows are providing light. They also reduce the weight carried by the arches. Creswell attributes only 4 of the windows stucco grills to the Tulunide Period. These of the plain geometrical design. The rest displaying a large variety of more complicated geometrical patterns. They date back to the Fatimide and the Mameluk Periods. The minaret stands on the North side of the Ziyada. A door leads to it. It is an unusual stone structure with an outer staircase and a Mameluk top of the type. In fact, it named Mabkhara. This minaret caused controversy among the Cairo’s Architectural historians. We don’t have enough sources to clear this point or determine its date.

Sabil Kuttab Sultan Qaitbay Cairo Egypt tours, prices, booking

Sabil Kuttab Sultan Qaitbay is freestanding and elegant. In fact, it situated on Saliba street. Moreover, it is between Amir Shaykhu complex and the square below Cairo Citadel. Sultan Qaitbay ruled Egypt for some 29 years. He known as a patron of art and prolific builder. Of his many other structures, the best known is his mausoleum at the “City of the Dead”. It depicted on the one pound Egyptian note. His military edifices that crown the harbor in Alexandria. Sabil Kuttab Sultan Qaitbay is the first example of a freestanding version of this type of institution. Moreover, it usually incorporated into a corner of a mosque or madrasa (Islamic school).

In fact, this type of independent structure became a favorite type of urban endowed building. It was during Othman Period. Two mercies most commended by the Islamic faith. It is that of water to the thirsty and instruction to the ignorant. The building offers indeed a good example of the trend in the later Mamluk period. Moreover, it applies a variety of rich decoration to the exterior of buildings. Sabil Kuttab Sultan Qaitbay built by Sultan Qaitbay in 1479. The upper structure is A kuttab, or elementary school. It has a trilobed portal on its western facade and large iron-grilled windows. Furthermore, below the facades of the Sabil, all decorated with poly-chrome marble. It inlays and carved stone in a style that approximates used in the later mosque of Qijmas al-Ishaqi.

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The ablaq courses of red, white and black renewed on the groin-vaulted trilobed. Its inlaid pattern and carved detail became more visible. It thus restored to its original glamour. Moreover, to either side of the portal vault carved medallions. It is with the name and epithet of Sultan Al Ashraf Abul Nassr Qaitbay. Today, this entrance of the building is no longer in use. The interior of Sabil Kuttab Sultan Qaitbay now accessed through a plain door in the back of the building. The lintels of the building joggled in the tradition of the Bahri Mamluk period. They inlaid with blue and white marble. They forms a variety of intricate arabesque patterns on the facade.

Above each window is two such decorative slabs. One is over the other. Both surmounted by medallions inlaid with arabesques in the same style. They framed by carved moldings. There are also bits of red stone and ceramic. In fact, they enhance the effect of stone and marble interaction. It is worthwhile to take a few minutes at Sabil Kuttab Sultan Qaitbay to examine the roundels, lintels and joggles. It is also for the corner columns of the facades. The marble veneer and carving are fine. Today, the building neither used nor generally open to the public. In fact, its main attraction at any rate is its exterior.

Sabil Umm Abbas Cairo Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Sabil Umm Abbas Cairo built by the grand-daughter of Abbas I. Abbas I ruled Egypt from 1848 to 1854. In fact, Sabil Umm Abbas located in quite a remarkable spot off Saliba Street in Cairo. Moreover, it is at the corner of the side alley Al Siufiya. The same alley lies the Palace of Amir Taz. In fact, Sabil is an Arabic word means fountain. It provides the walker in the street with the fresh water. One who builds Sabil, aims to get closer to God according to Islam teachings. Saliba Street reached from Cairo Citadel square. Moreover, it also called Mohammad Ali Square where Sultan Hassan Mosque and Al Rifai Mosque stand. This street recommended for a day walk. It is indeed rich with a flow of interesting monuments. Many of them date back to the Mamluk period.

Sabil Umm Abbas built in 1867. It was upon the order of the Turkish Princess Bambah Qadin, mother of Khedive Abbas II. She known to be a beautiful, kind and distinguished lady. Moreover, she also called Umm al-Mohsenin, which means mother of charity. It was because she gave away so much of her considerable fortune. Sabils were common structures which found in many parts of Islamic Cairo. They date back to Mamluk and Ottoman Periods. In fact, they are small buildings. Moreover, they decorated with elaborate marble facades and bronze window grills. The purpose of the building was of great religious significance during the Islamic periods. It was a way of providing free water for all to drink. In fact, it something regarded in the Quraan.

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Quraan is the holy book of Muslims. Quraan refers to the value and importance of water in paradise. Cairo’s first Sabil attributed to Sultan Al Nasir Mohammad. In fact, it built in 1340 as a memorial to his famous father and it’s ruins still remain today. The second Sabil built in Cairo is that of Amir Shaykhoun. It dates back to 1344. Moreover, it located against a rocky cliff on what was once a royal route. It is at the foot of the Mountain Citadel. The purpose of its construction was to quench the thirst of desert travelers. It was also to water people passing between Cairo and the eastern City of the Dead. Another important section of Sabils was a drinking trough for animals.

Sabil buildings were almost a fashion in Cairo. For long periods of time, sultans, princes and rich merchants gifted the city with many of them. They built on busy street corners and whenever possible on the northeast side of a building. It was to provide greatest shade and coolness. It then also became a trend to construct a second story above the Sabil used as a kuttab. Kuttab is a small religious school. It is where the poor could still taught reading and writing Quraan. Umm Abbas spent too much on this little structure. She turned it into an distinguished building. Sabil Umm Abbas Cairo is rounded. It shows much influence of Turkish imperial fountains. It is with its historic inscriptions, bronze window grills and carved wooden hoods.

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The building facade shows beautiful gilded Ottoman inscriptions. They set above each window grill and circulating around the whole facade. They are on blue and red backgrounds and provide color accents for the white marble faces. The facade also decorated with flowing lines and growing. They are forms of leafy spray and blossomed flowers. Sabil Umm Abbas Cairo held its supply of fresh water in a cool huge stone cistern underground. Once it rises to the surface. Moreover, the water flows out from a small arched marble niche high in the interior wall. It then flows over a beautiful sloping marble slab. It inlay with dazzling mosaic patterns and pours into side water basins. Many had quite a complex and fascinating underground flowing system.

Some Sabils were open only at certain hours. Others remained open day and night. It is except during the fasting hours of Ramadan, when the entire city’s Sabils closed. Sabils all run by a manager or a keeper who makes sure it functions well. He also keeps it clean. Sabil Umm Abbas built as semicircular pavilions. Its decoration was more of an Italian rococo style. The entrance of the building leads to the fountain chamber. It also leads to the staircase of the upper floor. In fact, the building recently restored. Today, the upper floor rooms occupied by a community service organization. The best view of the building is from the western end of the street. In fact, it is the direction of the Citadel.

Roda Island Nilometer Cairo Egypt tours, prices, booking

Roda Island Nilometer Cairo located on the southern tip of Roda Island. It faces Old Cairo. It has the properties of being one of the oldest structures in Cairo having a link to Egypt’s pharaonic past. Roda Island Nilometer Cairo built after the Arab conquest. In fact, the Nilometer and other Nilometers used to measure the flood levels of the Nile River. It is a heritage of Egypt’s distant past. Such structures doted the course of Egypt’s grand river. These types of devices continued to be useful up until the modern era when the Nile tamed by modern dams. The Nilometer used to regulate the distribution of water. In fact, it was during August and September.

It also computes the levy of taxes paid as tribute by Egypt to the the Arab Caliph. It was since the generosity of the Nile was in large part a sign of Egypt’s prosperity. There is an evidence that a Nilometer exited in this location since the Pharaonic Period. The Umayyads under Sulayman Abd El Malek had built a simple Nilometer. It was like those of the earlier period in 715 AD. In fact, it restored in 815 by Caliph Al Maamoun. Moreover, it destroyed by an high flood in 850 AD. Roda Island Nilometer Cairo built by order of the Abbasid Caliph Al Mutawakkel (847-861 AD). It was under the direction of Ahmad Al Hasib at the end of his reign in 861 AD. It devised by Abul Abbas Ahmad Ibn Kathir.

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Ibn Tulun restored Roda Island Nilometer Cairo between 872 and 873 AD. It again restored in 1092 by the Fatimid Caliph, Al Mustanser. Moreover, it remains original, except for the wooden painted conical dome roof. It is a modern restoration. This cupola in the shape of today modeled from an earlier example. It built after the Nilometer bombarded by French troops. It was during their occupation of Egypt. The earlier dome destroyed by a nearby factory explosion in 1825. It refitted by using an 18th century painting. It was by the Danish traveler, Fredrik Ludvig Norden as a reference. Roda Island Nilometer is a more sophisticated instrument than the the one on Elephantine Island in the Nile at Aswan. It consists of a pit that extends well below the level of the Nile.

It connects with the Nile through tunnels dug on three levels on its eastern side. These tunnels now blocked off from the Nile. That is why Roda Island Nilometer Cairo no longer functions. The pit lined with stone, circular at the bottom and rectangular at the top. It accessed by a staircase on the interior walls. Its walls have four recesses with pointed arches and thin columns to either side. They adorned with two types of zigzag framing decorations carved on its stone voussoirs. These arches are the same type as those used in Gothic architecture. They proceeded the Gothic arch by some four hundred years. In the center of the pit, there is a marble, octagonal column with a Corinthian capital. It rises from its depths surmounting a millstone. At the top, there is a wooden beam spanning the Nilometer.

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To measure the Nile flood, this column graded and divided into 19 cubits. A cubit is more than half a meter. Hence, it was capable of measuring floods up to about 9.2 meters. The flood which measured by Nilometer was important to the rulers of Egypt. It also was so for the whole population. An ideal flood filed the Nilometer up to the sixteenth mark and less than this could mean drought and famine. If the measurement exceed the 19 cubits, a catastrophic flood was at hand. In the days before to the expected flood, this column would anointed with saffron and musk. It was to help induce a good water level. Plain Kufic inscriptions adorn the walls of Roda Island Nilometer Cairo. They are the earliest surviving examples of architectural epigraphy in Egypt.

In fact, they taken from Quranic texts. They refer to water, vegetation and prosperity. Thus, they have a talisman meaning, but there is also secular text as well.  These inscriptions executed in white marble on a blue background. The letters themselves left in the natural stone color. The inscription recording the establishment of the Nileomter by Al Mutawakkel has removed. Creswell is a well known historian of this period. He believes that this done by Ibn Tulun. Ibn Tulun was the one who replaced it with extra verse. It was as part of a campaign to assert his independence from the foreign Caliphate. Roda Island Nilometer Cairo has a big importance in determining the prosperity of Egypt.

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It was the departure point of the greatest of Cairo’s celebrations throughout the medieval period. In fact, it was the Fath al-Khalij. Moreover, it was the festival of the Opening of the Canal. It ceased in 1899. It was when the Khalij (Khalig) filled in. Roda Island Nilometer Cairo continued to used up until the last flood in 1970. The Khalij Canal started opposite Roda Island and bordered the medieval city to the west. It irrigated its outlying gardens and fields. The Khalij canal blocked with an earth dam and cleaned before the flood. It would then opened when the water level reached the sixteenth cubit level. The caliph, later sultans and pashas would inaugurate the celebrations. They lasted for several days. The summer flood from the Nile would then fill this canal.

It was together with many ponds that would have winter beds green with vegetation. During the celebrations, decorated boats would crowed the waters. Among these, the most splendid would be that of the ruler. Those who seen this event refer to it as Cairo’s most spectacular celebration. During the hot summer months, the Khalij and the ponds remained filled with boats. Its shores lined with entertainment. Near Roda Island Nilometer Cairo was a mosque. It was for prayers during the flood celebration. There was also a palace for banquets which held by the various rulers. The grand celebration not guaranteed as an annual event. When the water failed to reach the sixteenth cubic mark, the celebrations canceled. Prayers and fasting held instead to ward off the expected drought and famine.

Sabil Kuttab Abdel Rahman Katkhuda Egypt tours, prices, booking

Sabil Kuttab Abdel Rahman Katkhuda located in Al Mu’iz Street in Cairo. It is in its second part. In fact, it starts with Al Azhar Street and ending at Bab Al Futuh at the other side. The building has a rather weird structure from outside. In fact, it located in the middle of the street dividing the street afterwards into two lanes. Moreover, the right one leads at the end to the back of Al Aqmar mosque. The other one continues till the end of the street at the Bab Al Futuh. Furthermore, the builder of the site is the Prince Abdel Rahman Katkhuda. He was the most talented architecture of his time.

His Sabil Kuttab is the best concrete evidence of his talent. It known that he restored around thirty monuments in Cairo. Moreover, he was also the leader of the Egyptian. In fact, the site built in 1744. It has two floors. The first one is the Sabil where fresh water kept for people to drink from. The second one is the Kuttab. It is where students used to attend classes studying Quran and the Islamic teachings. In fact, Sabil Kuttab Abdel Rahman Katkhuda provides the two commands of the prophet Mohamed. They are water for the thirsty and spiritual teaching. Moreover, in the back of this monument, there is a three stores building. It now used as a residential property and it is not open for public visiting.

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Sabil Kuttab Abdel Rahman Katkhuda has a special architecture importance. It displays the magnificence of the Mamluk art. The door to the Sabil located in the Southern Eastern part of the building. In fact, the Sabil room is rectangular shape. Moreover, the room features three large decorated windows. Under each window there is a large basin where fresh water kept. The walls of the Sabil room decorated with unique blue ceramic. It is with some Islamic inscriptions. There is also a drawing on the Eastern wall of the room of Mecca. Mecca is the place where Muslims go every year for pilgrimage. The ceiling of the Sabil is the most attractive among its architecture. It designed with colorful brown and blue paintings. One can stare at the ceiling of this room until his neck aches.

The Kuttab is a pleasant room with five marble columns. They are holding the startling carved wooden roof. The walls room for this covered with Mashrabeya windows. There is also a wooden cupboard in this room which fine carved. In fact, it is where they used to keep the holy book of Quran. The scenery looking out of the Kuttab is impressive. One can see the dome and minaret of the Barquq complex. One can also see Sultan Qalawun complex and Beshtak Palace. Sabil Kuttab Abdel Rahman Katkhuda well ornamented from outside with colorful marble outlines. They set above the windows of the building in a form of a jigsaw.

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Furthermore, the three windows of the building looks glorious from outside. They have huge size and distinctive design. Moreover, the second floor looks appealing from outside. The dark brown color of its Mashrabeya windows decorated. The building is one of many monuments which spread in Khan El Khalili area.

Qanibay Amir Akhur Complex Cairo Egypt tours, prices, booking

Qanibay Amir Akhur complex Cairo belongs to Qanibay Al Sayfi. In fact, he was grand master of the horses during the reign of Sultan Al Ghuri. He also known as Al-Rammah because he was famous for his horsemanship and using spears. Al Rammah is an Arabic word means the lancer. Qanibay Amir Akhur complex sometimes known as madrasa of Qanibay Qura Al Rammah. In fact, it features a madrasa, mosque and a Sabil-Kuttab. The Mamluk era varied creative features to the already diverse and expressive Islamic Architecture. Moreover, Mamluk early buildings followed the traditional plans and designs. The Islamic architectural reached its most significant achievements during the Mamluk time. The complex built in 1503 AD in Cairo. It built on a hill overlooking Sultan Hassan mosque and Al Rifai mosque.

Qanibay Amir Akhur complex indeed has a unique location. It lies in Salah El Din Square opposite Bab Al Azab. Baba Ala Azab is one of the city gates. This gate lies next to the Horse market. Moreover, it leads to the Sultans horse stables. It located in the citadel grounds just off the square. The important complexes usually built on main streets. Designers often faced with most irregular plots of land. Creative architectural solutions required to do a successful building. One of these cases seen in the Qanibay madrasa. It built on stepped rocky ground. This conflict overcame by erecting the complex on storerooms and the madrasa basement. That is why the various parts of the facade would be at the same height.

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It took full advantage of the view and at the same time exposing the mosque to the crowds below. For this reason, the building considered a suspended mosque. The mosque and madrasa occupy the upper floor while the Sabil is on the left of the entrance. It is above which located the Kuttab. Moreover, the mosque and madrasa reached by an exterior staircase. It is on the main south eastern facade. And then through a trilobed vaulted portal. Qanibay Amir Akhur complex has a long main facade overlooking the square. It consists of the same elements used in Mamluk architecture . They are such as rectangular niches that differ according to the function behind them.

Furthermore, the rectangular niche of the entrance has two sitting decks on the sides. It topped with calligraphic bands. It composed of a trilobed arch crowned by another taking the shape of trefoil leaves. As for the rectangular niche of the qibla iwan, it has two windows in each. The Sabil facade consists of a large rectangular window. It surmounted by four small wooden window screens. Qanibay Amir Akhur complex has a bent entrance leading to a vestibule. It isolating it from the exterior and working as a distribution space to all the elements of the complex. The vestibule has a beautiful wooden ceiling supported on stalactite frieze with colored ornaments.

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In fact, the madrasa follows the traditional Qaa plan. Moreover, it marked for the extravagance and richness of its interior golden decorations. It composed of an open central Durqaa (hall). Furthermore, it surrounded by two perpendicular Iwans and another two side ones. Facing the Qibla Iwan, is a stone Mihrab. It worked with various ornaments, a wooden Minbar and two bands of Quranic inscriptions. The Qibla Iwan roofed by a shallow vault on pendentives. The Iwan on the opposite side covered by a cross vault. Limestone used for building external and inner walls of the madrasa. The mausoleum occupies the corner of the adjacent building to the Qibla Iwan. It can reached from the Durqaa through the southeast door. The internal walls cl-added with marble and it has a Mihrab facing it with two side wall cupboards.

The mausoleum dome rests on four pendentives decorated. It is with seven rows of Muqarnas (stalactites). It is also with a drum containing sixteen arched windows topped by the calligraphic text. This dome has amazing arabesque carving patterns and floral forms seen from the outside. The minaret, located to the left of the entrance as a landmark. It consists of two pedestals. They are one on top of the other separated by rows of stone Muqarnas which carry the balconies. This minaret is a style that appeared in the end of the Mamluk era. It is the oldest of its kind. It is a twin-topped minaret rather than the usual one head. The double type minarets also used afterwards in Al Ghouri Mosque and Al Azhar Mosque.

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Qanibay Amir Akhur complex minaret has a square lower and middle section. The upper section composed of two rectangular bodies with an arched recess on each side. Both surmounted by a Mamluk dome ending with a post. They crowned by a spherical bulb form domes and crescent. Prince Qanibay Qura Al Rammah known to be fond of architecture and construction. He also built a madrasa in Al Naseriyya. Prince Qanibay died in 1515 A.D. He buried in the madrasa at the complex. In fact, the complex first restored in 1895. And then in 1939 by the French Commission for the conservation of Arab Monuments.