Al Darb El Ahmar Touristic Route

The Eastern Ayyubid Wall

The Eastern City Wall of Cairo wall was built in three different periods. – In the first period, it was built using mud bricks by the founder Gawhar Al Siqili, an army leader during the Fatimid Period in 358AH – 969AD. This part was completely demolished and the only remains are now seen in the Archeological Triangle area and at Bab-Al Tawfiq. – The second building campaign was by Badr Al Din Al Gamali, the minister of Fatimid Khalif Al Mostansir Bellah between (480-485 AH) (1087- 1092 AD). Remaining from this wall can only seen in Bab Al-Tawfiq with a foundation text dated to 480 AH. – In the third period, the City Wall was expanded during the reign of Salah-Al-Din Al-Ayyub, who developed his project to extend the Walls from the Citadel to Al-Fustat to surround the whole capital, between (569- 589 AH)(1171 – 1193 AD).

Khayer-Bek Complex

The complex was built by Prince Khayer-Bek in 908 AH / 1502 AD, who was one of the princes of Sultan Al-Ghuri. He played a major role in the political changes in Egypt and Syria, particularity when he cooperated with the Ottomans against his master the sultan Al Ghuri in the battle of Marj Dabek close to Aleppo. For this reason, Egyptians name him Khayn-bek (the traitor) after the incident. When the Ottomans conquered Egypt, they appointed him as an important official for five years until his death in 928 AH / 1521AD.

The Khayer-Bek complex consists of three main components: a madrassa (school) – a mausoleum (burial) – a sabil and its associated buildings. The main entrance of the madrassa is located right next to the sabil overlooking Bab Al Wazir. The madrassa consists of a rectangular vestibule divided into a central hall with two iwans, one on each side. In a central location of the qibla wall, there is a nicely t¨ curved mihrab. Next to the mihrab is the south western iwan from which opens a door that leads to the mausoleum. This mausoleum has another curved mihrab in front of which is a marble slab that marks the tomb of Khayer bek underneath it. As for the sabil, it is located on the left side of the main entrance. It is of the sabil types that have three windows and above the sabil is an Ottoman.

Asque (Blue Mosque)q Sunqur Mosque

The Blue Mosque was constructed in 747 AH / 1347 AD by Prince Shams Al -Din Aq Sunqur, a Mamluk of al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun. It is located at an equal distance between Bab Zuweila and the Citadel of Saladin. The mosque was refurbished by the Ottoman prince Ibrahim Agha El-Mostahfzan, who conducted an important restoration in the mosque. The mosque is also a funerary complex containing the mausoleums of its founder Shams al-Din Aq sunqur, his sons, a number of children of the Bahri Mamluk Sultan an-Nasir Muhammad and that of its principal restorer, Ibrahim Agha al-Mustahfizan.

The mosque has three entrances, the main one being its street portal opening into the western side; this side consists of a large pointed arch with corbels on the front edges of its roof. The first and the second entrance both overlook Bab Al-Wazir’s Street while the third entrance overlooks Darb Shaghlan’s street. The Blue Mosque also has a significant importance in both historical and archaeological terms because it combines the Mamluk architectural style with Ottoman decoration. It was named Blue Mosque because of the blue glazed ceramic tiles covering its walls.

Umm Al-Sultan Shaa’ban Mosque and Madrasa

This building is the only royal construction in Darb al-Ahmar. The Sultan Al-Ashraf Sha’ban Ibn Hussein Ibn Al-Nasir Mohamed Ibn Al-Mansour Qalawun commissioned the construction of this madrassa for his mother Khwand Baraka Khatoun Bent Abdullah and wife of Al-Amir Al-Amagad Hussein Ibn Al-Nasir Mohamed Ibn Qalaqun, who was the father of her son Al-Ashraf Sha’ban. Khwand Baraka was appreciated due to her contributions and donations, especially during her pilgrimage year in 770 AH (1368AD) to the extent that this year was known among the people by her name as Umm Al-Sultan (i.e. mother the sultan) year. In addition, she played a major role in the political life of the time and in consolidating her son’s, rule. She died in 774 AH (1372 AD).

The main facade of the school, which overlooks Tabana Street, is the first entrance to the building and to its right is a water basin for the animals. The minaret is the focal point of the building, which follows a four-iwan typology around an open-air courtyard. The qibla wall includes a marble mihrab. While the eastern larger dome was dedicated to the burial of Khwand Baraka and her daughter Khwand Zahra, the second smaller dome is dedicated to the burial of the male family members. In general, the madrasa of Umm Al- Sultan Shaban has great historical, architectural and artistic importance and can be considered one of the most beautiful places in Al-Darb al-Ahmar.