Qalawun Complex – AN ACCOUNT of a Sultan and His Prisoners of War

The Qalawun Complex was an enormous complex that contains a mosque; a madrasa; a mausoleum, and a hospital, however the hospital section was demolished in 1910. The complex is situated in the center of Cairo, within an area referred to as Bayn al-Qasrayn, which is located in what’s commonly known as Old Cairo or Medieval Cairo. A number of the architectural just work at the Qalawun Complex is known as to be among a number of the finest such examples in Cairo. Visit this phenomenal complex in absolute comfort and style with among our flawless Cairo tour packages.

Qalawun Complex seen from Muizz Street. The region is also referred to as Bayn Al Qasrayn.

The website is near a great many other very popular Cairo PLACES OF INTEREST, like the somewhat older Sultan Al-Ghuri Complex. Overall, the Qalawun Complex is an excellent spot to visit, and especially if you are thinking about old Islamic architecture and Islamic history generally.

Qalawun Complex – A BRIEF OVERVIEW

The courtyard of Qalawun complex. Arched rebuilt entrance to the medieval mosque.

The bottom, which the Qalawun funerary complex now stands, was previously home to a Fatimid palace. Lots of the old palace’s halls were sold off, and there have been people surviving in them until Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad Ibn Qalawun bought the complete area in 1283. He previously allegedly made a promise to God he would create a hospital in Cairo like the one he was treated in during Syria.

Construction of the Qalawun Complex then were only available in 1284, and astonishingly, it had been completed the next year in 1285. The complete complex was built-in just 13 months, although a lot of people find it hard to trust considering its vast size. A healthcare facility, that was built first, took significantly less than 6 months to perform, as the madrasa and the mausoleum each took around a few months to perform.

So, how was this type of vast complex built-in such a short time of time? Some individuals may be tempted to accuse the sultan of using slave labor. However, the sultan himself never actually supervised this specific project. Instead, construction of the Qalawun Complex was supervised by emir ‘Alam al-Din Sinjar al-Shaja‘i. He never reverted to slave labor, but rather, he used Mongol prisoners of war.

Along with all the prisoners who have been forcefully employed, emir ‘Alam al-Din Sinjar al-Shaja‘I also known as on called on regular workers through the entire city to aid with the project. Actually, he was so determined to get a large workforce that even people walking the streets were ordered to greatly help. By enough time the complex was completed, it had been considered to be the most amazing building in the complete region.

Restoration Projects COMPLETED

The Qalawun Complex underwent its first recorded restoration project through the reign of al-Nasir Muhammad, the sultan’s son. This occurred in 1327 following a major earthquake caused significant harm to the complex’s minarets. Al-Nasir had the complex renovated and restored several times during his reign nonetheless it was only the restoration of the minarets that has been recorded on the complex.

Later, in 1776, Abdul-Rahman Katkhuda also commissioned some renovation work to be completed. This project included the building of a really beautiful Ottoman-style sabil on the contrary side of the street.

AN IMPRESSIVE Mausoleum

The interiors of Qalawun Mausoleum are excellent types of medieval Islamic art

When it found getting the mausoleum built, Sultan Qalawun wanted a mausoleum more beautiful than any he previously ever seen. Because of this, his mausoleum at the Qalawun Complex is currently regarded as the world’s second-most beautiful mausoleum, surpassed only by the famous Taj Mahal in India.

Some historians think that Qalawun never really had any intention of utilizing the mausoleum as a burial site. They argue that it had been originally designed to serve as a mosque and a school.

The mausoleum’s dome was of great significance since it was symbolic of a fresh rise of Mamluk power. This later resulted in the dome being demolished by an Ottoman governor. In its place, a fresh Ottoman-style dome was built, and then be replaced again in 1908 by the guts for Reservation of Arab Monuments.

The Qalawun Complex Madrasa

The madrasa at the Qalawun Complex is in no way as elaborate because the mausoleum, but it continues to be spectacular nonetheless. In its heyday, the madrasa was useful for teaching all legal schools which were recognized under Islamic law.

The madrasa was also useful for teaching other subjects aswell, including medicine.

A Lavish Hospital

Today, a healthcare facility which formed an integral part of the original complex no more exists, having been demolished in 1910. After it had been built and opened, it could have been probably the most advanced & most lavish hospital in every of Egypt.

Not only is it useful for treating the sick and wounded, in addition, it served as a venue where medicine was taught. Actually, a healthcare facility also provided medicine, shelter, food, and also clothing for the indegent.

Visiting Qalawun Complex and Muizz Street

Stone walls of the medieval Qalawun complex on the oldest street in Cairo, Al-Muizz Street.

The Qalawun Complex is really a huge site, in addition to a very remarkable one. Additionally it is located in an especially fascinating section of Cairo, and in relatively close proximity to many other excellent attractions. In a nutshell, any tour through this section of Cairo will probably leave you with lifelong memories.

Visiting the Qalawun Complex is really such as a journey back through time.

At Egypt Tours Plus, we recognize that not all folks are thinking about old Islamic architecture and culture, but also for those who find themselves interested, the Qalawun Complex promises to be always a real gem.

If you want to go to the Qalawun Complex, and you also are considering booking among our Cairo Tour Packages or among our more extensive Egypt Tour Packages, please make sure to check your selected tour itinerary to see if this attraction is roofed or not.

Explore the very best of Egypt THE RIGHT PATH!

Note: All our tour packages could be customized, if you want this attraction put into your chosen itinerary, it is possible to simply tell us and we’ll be happy to achieve this.