Islamic Architecture in Egypt – Part 2

In ‘Islamic Architecture in Egypt: Part 1′ we covered the terminology and various things you should look out for in Egyptian Islamic Architecture – but now we’re ready to cover our top ten sites that are a must see if you’re a fan of architecture and even history!

1. Mosque of Ibn Tulun

This is one that you should put on your list. It’s one of the oldest mosques in Egypt; it’s unique and known for its impressive minaret. The mosque is the oldest in Cairo surviving in it’s original form. The mosque is actually constructed on a hill which according to one local legend is the same place Noah’s Ark was stationed during the flood!

2. Mosque of Al-Azhar

Egypt’s most important mosque. It consists of a catalogue of architectural styles, going all the way from the 10th to the 19th century – so you’ll find a variety of styles here, keeping any architecture fanatic occupied for a very long time.

3. Beit al-Sihaymi

There are fine examples of mashrabiya in this former merchant’s house. These are the wooden-lattice screens, long before glass became common, mashrabiya was used to cover windows, either externally or internally. Beit al-Sihaymi is known to be the best example of rich private housing dating the 17th century.

4. Mosque of Sultan Hassan

The courtyard of this majestic 13th-century mosque served as a madrassa with four soaring iwans – places for students of knowledge to receive their lessons. When you enter the iwans you can still feel the serenity these cool shaded courtyards would have provided the eager students of knowledge. The mosque was built by Sultan Hassan who had hoped his body would be buried in this extravangant building, but the Sultan known for his lavish lifestyle and spending fortunes on women, he was often critisized for squandering of public funds and eventually assisinated – mysteriously his body dissapeared and he was never actually buried in the mosque.

5. Mosque of Sultan Qaitbey

This mosque in Cairo’s Northern Cemetery has a very fine carved stone dome that will leave you marvelling at how much time and care must have been exerted in producing such a fine peice of art and architecture. Sultan Qaitbey contrary to Sultan Hassan left a great mark and a period of political stability, military success and prosperity, donating a substantial part of his private fortune after seeing some poor regions of the Islamic State – a true leader!

6. Gayer-Anderson Museum

This old house boasts impressive mashrabiya screened galleries – again the designs are very impressive and doesn’t take long to see, so be sure to check it out.

7. Mosque of Suleyman Pasha

Built in 1528, this was one of the first mosques built during the Ottoman period of the Islamic Caliphate. Though it is fairly small compared with some of the other mosques in Egypt, it is a fine example of Ottoman architecture where you can see some beautifully inlaid marble and woodwork.

8. Madrassa-Mausoleum of Qalaoun

Qalaoun was a leader who had this impressive building made in just 13 months in 1279! Qalaoun’s great edifice has some fine inlaid marble decoration, along with intricate floral designs and is lit by stain glass windows. Qalaoun also had a hospital built into the complex after he saw something similar when we was cured of colic in Damascus!

9. Wikala of Al-Ghouri

One thing you’ll find is that historical buildings have a lure and when they are also Islamic monuments they have a very special air to them and Al-Ghouri is not different – you’ll be filled with a strong sense of history and be taken back in time when you see this 500 year old master peice. We would say this is the most impressive wikala in Cairo!

10. Manial Palace

A more contemporary building, yet not less impressive, this 19th-century royal residence built in traditional Islamic style has beautiful painted ceilings along with many of the other peices of Islamic art and architecture we’ve learnt about in part 1.

This should be plenty to keep any architecture and art fan busy for a while, but if you end up staying for an extended period or are like some who go to Egypt for 6 months to a year, then be sure that you have all the basics under your belt to identify and most importantly appreciate the great monuments, history and peices of art that exist in a land which many would argue has the oldest existing sites from a number of empires and cultures!