Sultan al-Ghuri Complex

The founder of this complex, Sultan Qansuh al-Ghuri, was one of the most famous circassian mamluk sultans. He ascended the throne in 906 AH / 1501 AD, and ruled until his death in 922 AH / 1516 AD in the battle of Marg Dabiq in northern Syria against the Ottomans.

The complex was constructed in 909–910 AH / 1503–1504 AD. Its unique architectural plan combines all social needs in one holistic structure. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Cairo.

The complex includes a mosque, a madrasa for sciences of Islamic jurisprudence and prophetic hadiths, across the street, a mausoleum, a khanqah (hostel for Sufis), a sabil (public drinking fountain), a kuttab (Quranic school), and a dormitory. A wooden roof spanning the street connects the two halves of the complex and shelters a textiles and clothes market.

The house consists of a ground floor and two upper floors consisting of halls and rooms, most of the walls of which were demolished and their features changed. The ground floor included rooms and store rooms, which were designated for the residence of the imam of the school and the shaykh of the khanqah.

Attached to this house in the south-east of the complex, a courtyard in which Sultan Tuman Bay was buried after he was hanged at Bab Zuwayla, and his remains were laterly transferred .

The  maq’ad (loggia) occupies the southwestern side of the courtyard, overlooking it with a huge facade divided into three levels. The sabil occupies the northern corner of the northwestern (main) façade. It is of the style of sabils with three windows. Its façade is decorated with two ranks (emblems) for Sultan al-Ghuri.

The main entrance leads to a rectangular hall, which leads to the rectangular sabil room, and on the  its southern wall we find the marble shazrawan with its ornaments. The cistern is located behind the sabil room, and above the sabil is the kuttab.

The mausoleum dome is attached to the complex, which is characterised by its exquisite decorations and mihrab. It is the dome in which Sultan al-Ghuri was not buried due to his death in the Levant in 922 AH/1516 AD.

The Khanqah is next to the mausoleum dome, it is the place designated for the residence of Sufis, and is characterized by its wooden ceiling decorated with golden engravings.