Sultan Al Mansur Qalawun Mosque

Who designed the Qalawun Mosque? and when was it created?

In 1284, Sultan Al Mansur Qalawun constructed the impressive complex of Sultan Qalawun along Shari’ el-Muizz Street, a well-known historical street in Cairo. Within its boundaries, the complex contains a mosque, a medersa, a mausoleum, and a mauristan. In the 1920s, a contemporary hospital took the place of the Mauristan. The complex showcases that era’s typical Mamluk architecture. Sultan Qalawun was familiar with the Gothic style from the Crusader churches because it inspired the exterior windows of the entire complex.

In honor of the two Fatimid Palaces that once stood here, the complex is located in a location known as Bayn Al-Qasreen, or “Between the Two Palaces,” in the center of Islamic Cairo. These palaces, like the majority of the Fatimid structures in the city, were demolished by succeeding kings who wished to eradicate the influence of the Shi’a dynasty. In fact, one of these palaces served as the foundation for the complex that Qalawun constructed.

What is contained in the Qalawun complex?

The memorial to Qalawun included a sizable hospital, a madrassa-style mosque (distinguished by the classrooms for each of the important schools of Islamic thought on each of the four walls), and finally his mausoleum. In its day, the hospital was cutting edge. It provided patients with 2000 beds and numerous luxury amenities. It was operational until the late Ottoman era (19th century), at which point it was destroyed.

The mausoleum is the focal point of the Qalawun’s Complex. Although it was designed after Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock, it is still distinctive in its own right. The structure was renovated as part of the initiative to revitalize Al-Muizz Street as a whole, and it now stands out as one of Cairo‘s most stunning landmarks. It is regarded as one of the most stunning structures in the Muslim World, a mausoleum that rivals India’s renowned Taj Mahal.

Where is the Qalawun complex situated?

One of many Mamluk madrassa/mausoleum complexes that still exist along Al-Muizz Street is an impressive structure. Along Al-Muizz Street are the Madrassa of Sultan Barouq, the Mausoleum, and the Madrassa of Al-Nasir Muhammad, but only Sultan Barouq’s Madrassa is accessible to tourists. The oldest and most impressive of these monuments to Cairo‘s Mamluk rulers is the Qala’un Complex, which dates to 1285.

The most beautiful structure in Cairo is thought to be the Mausoleum, which is located on the other side of the Medersa. The Mausoleum’s interior is oriented similarly to a madrasa, while the exterior facade faces the street outside. The building’s octagonal shape enables the prayer qiblah (direction) to face Mecca. The dome inside the structure is illuminated by the vivid color of glass set in plaster and decorated with arabesque patterns. Mamluk decorative arts are revealed in the marble strips, polychrome stone panels, painted coffered ceiling, and decorative mihrab.

you can visit Al Mansur Qalawun Mosque during your Cairo Tour with Al Sahel Travel