El Muizz street

High taxes and ineffective administration by the Ikshidid Abbasids, who had governed Egypt from 905 AD, had left the region and its capital, Fustad, in ruins when the Fatimids assumed control of the country in 969 AD. The Fatimids started establishing their rule over Egypt and its populace right away.

The construction of a new capital, Al-Qahirah (Cairo), as well as extensive road repairs and the restoration of the canal system that supported Nile Valley agriculture have all been started by the new Caliph al-Muizz. Shiie Muslims known as the Fatimids built Al Qahirah (Cairo) to undermine the prominence of the Sunni Abbasid capital of Baghdad in an effort to spread the influence of their interpretation of Islam throughout the Sunni Abbasid caliphate’s territory. laid the groundwork for contemporary Cairo.

 

Al-Muizz al-Din Street was constructed as the primary route through the Fatimid capital and was named after Egypt’s first Fatimid caliphate. Although the Sunni caliph later took control of the city and became Muizz’s the Street, the Fatimid capital was largely damaged. The street kept up its significance. This avenue through the heart of the city was the site of numerous palaces, mosques, and monuments constructed by the Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman dynasties, which governed Egypt after the Fatimids.

Some of the most significant Islamic structures in the entire world can still be seen on Al Muizz Street.

One of the most significant locations in Egyptian Islamic history, it extends from Bab Zuweilah in the south to Bab al-Futuh in the north along the center of Islamic Cairo. It is home to a bustling sector where thousands of artists manufacture things for sale at Khan al-Khalili, which designates the halfway point of the street, in addition to the stunning structures scattered along its length. A vacation to Cairo would not be complete without strolling down this street and the maze-like shopping streets of Khan al-Khalili.

The history of Islamic Cairo may be quickly experienced in Al Muizz Street, where new and old structures coexist. Recent renovations have been made to the section of the street (northern) that runs from Bab Al-Futuh to Azhar Street (near Khan Al-Khalili). On the south side of the roadway, restoration work has just started, making visits challenging.

 

What sets Al Muizz Street apart is that

Mosque of Al Akhmar:

The Al-Aqmar Mosque is one of the oldest and most impressive structures still standing in the ancient Islamic Cairo, located on Al Muizz Street. One of the first structures constructed in Islamic Cairo is this little but distinctive mosque on Al Muizz Street. The walled city of Al-Qahira (Cairo), which is now the heart of Islamic Cairo, was created by the Fatimid dynasty, who governed Egypt from 969 to 1171. They came from what is now Tunisia, took over Egypt, and turned Shiie Islam become the official religion.

The Moonlight Mosque, also known as Al Akhmar Mosque, has certain distinctive architectural elements. While keeping the façade straight to the street front and aligning with the Qibla, or the direction of prayer to Mecca, the rest of the building is tilted and was the first in Cairo to adopt a staggered façade.

 

Bait Al Suhaimi:

Darb al-Asfar (Yellow Road), where Beit Al-Suhaimi is located, is Cairo’s wealthiest street. Rich people flocked to the area around the ‘Palace Walk,’ which became one of the city’s most popular attractions. the name given to his Al-Muizz Street in the same-named book by Naguib Mahfouz. One of Cairo’s most exquisite homes, Bait Al-sheim was constructed in the 17th century. The home, which had fallen into disrepair in the 20th century, was rebuilt in the last ten years and is now one of the finest non-monumental examples of mediaeval Cairo’s architecture.

Sultan Al-Mansur Qalawun

The spectacular Sultan Al-Mansur Qalawun compound was constructed in 1284 by Sultan al-Mansur Qalawun along Shari El Muizz His Street, Cairo’s renowned ancient street. Within the complex’s boundaries are a mosque, a medersa, a mausoleum, and a mauristan. In the 1920s, Mauristan was replaced by a cutting-edge hospital. The complex exhibits the time’s typical Mamluk architecture. The Gothic style, which Sultan Kalawun was familiar with from Crusader church building, served as inspiration for the outside windows used throughout the entire complex.

The complex, known as Bayn Al-Qasreen or “Between the Two Palaces” after the two Fatimid palaces that once stood here, was constructed in the Centre of Islamic Cairo. These palaces, like the majority of other Fatimid structures in the city, were erected by succeeding kings who wished to eliminate the influence of the Shiite dynasty. In fact, Qalawun constructed his complex on the ruins of one of these palaces.

 

El Ghorya

The El Ghorya complex may be found near the start of the southern leg of Al-Muizz Street that leads to Bab Zuweila, which is south of Al-Azhar Street. The mausoleum that Alguri constructed for himself is located on the east side of the street. Unfortunately, during the Ottoman Empire’s defense, his remains were lost and never buried there.

The facility was built to be a special multifunctional area. In addition to mosques and mausoleums, it also contained sabil, which offered free water to the public, office buildings, indoor markets, and other structures. Wikila al Guri, the original structure, still survives behind a few contemporary structures on the east side despite having had a portion of it demolished.

you can visit El Muizz street during your Cairo tour with Al Sahel Travel