Sultan Al-Ghuri Complex “Mosque and Madrasa of al-Ghuriya” in Cairo Egypt
Facts about Islamic Egypt Archaeological Sites and the history of building a mosque, a school and a fountain of Al-Ghouri, one of the most important Islamic historical heritage landmarks to discover. The Islamic Egypt History, how much is the entrance ticket, official working hours and more..
Sultan Al-Ghuri Complex Facts
Sultan Al-Ghuri Complex or that large archaeological complex that includes both the mosque and the school and even the dome is one of the most famous Islamic Egyptian Antiquities and monuments..
It is also characterized by the archaeological areas in the Al-Ghouri Agency, which are the Sabil and the Al-Ghouri Book, and that agency is located in Cairo..
Description of Al-Ghouri Agency
The Sultan Al-Ghouri complex, also known as the Al-Ghouri Agency, is a very large and archaeological architectural complex that at the same time provided it with great fame in Cairo.
This archaeological group was built in an organized manner using or relying on the Islamic style, as it dates back to the rule or late era of the Circassian Mamluks..
Who created the Al-Ghouri Agency and when?
The Ghouri Agency was established during the period of time from 909 AH/1503 AD to 910 AH/1504 AD and was established by order of the great Sultan Ashraf Abu al-Nasr, one of the rulers under the rule of the Mamluk state during the era of the Circassian Mamluks..
Before he ascended to that special seat of the Sultanate for one of the princes during the reign of Sultan Ashraf Qaitbay, he had a Sabil-Kuttab of Qaytbay, and then he was able to advance in those positions and progress during the reign of King Al-Nasir Qaitbay and Ashraf Jan..
Until he ended up having one of the Mamluk princes pledge allegiance to him at that time, but of course he was forced to do so in the year 906 AH/1501 AD, and he was able to sit on the throne of the Sultanate..
The exact location of Al-Ghouri Agency
In fact, this large archaeological group is currently located in the Al-Ghuriya area, which is located in detail in the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar area, which is affiliated with that archaeological district in the downtown Cairo area..
It also has a wonderful view of Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah Al-Fatimi Street “Al Muizz Street“.
At the same time, and next to it, there are a very large number of other archaeological sites other than the Ghouri Agency, namely the agency or the King Qaitbay Fountain, and the ancient mosque of Muhammad Bey Abu al-Dhahab, and also near it is the Al-Azhar Mosque, and finally the Al-Fakhani Mosque..
How are the buildings of the Al-Ghouri Agency distributed in full?
Let us focus on the fact that the private buildings of the archaeological or architectural group are distributed on two separate sides, but opposite each other.
There is also a small passage between them, and for those above it there is a wooden roof. One of those two sides still includes a mosque, which was built by the person responsible for designing the Al-Ghouri Agency, and with it a school that was established for the purpose of completing the teaching of Islamic sciences.
Where the four schools of thought were taught, namely the Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanafi and Hanbali schools, while on the other side or opposite to the place there was that domed shrine that was more like a ditch, and a huge fountain for those above it with a book and also a khanqah, but that was of course for the sake of the Sufis..
Also included in the group is a house and a seat designated only for the Sultan. Also included in that archaeological group was a large archaeological bathhouse, which had disappeared in the shadow of the current time..
Al-Ghouri Agency
The Al-Ghouri Agency area is located within a large architectural complex that was built in the late Mamluk era..
Its importance is due to the fact that it was established during the era of the Circassian Mamluk, who was known as Al-Ashraf Abu Al-Nasr Qansuh Al-Ghouri.
He was the one who ruled Egypt from approximately 1501 until 1516 specifically.
At that time, he had progressed in poetry and advancement thanks to his intelligence until he was able to actually assume the rule of Egypt.
He is considered the last of the Mamluk sultans, but with the end of his rule, the Ottoman invasion had come..
Who built it?
King Qansuh al-Ghuri had built in Egypt a very important architectural complex in the history of Egyptian architecture, which actually consists of the al-Ghuri Agency with the al-Ghuri Mosque, along with a dome, a fountain, a book, and then the al-Ghuri School..
All of this is located at the end of Al-Ghuriya Street, which is at its intersection with Al-Azhar Street..
This area takes the form of a huge but very distinctive architectural block, as it takes the form of only one extension, in which its distinctive lines appear in all parts of this huge or architectural block..
As for Al-Ghouri Agency, it is indeed considered one of the professional models of what agencies were like before in that important era..
But fortunately, a large part of that place remained until now, which helped at that time to restore it and then succeed in repairing it and returning it to its original condition..
Since the end of 2000, the agency called Al-Ghouri Agency has entered into a restoration and documentation project, which had taken five years at the time..
When did the Ghouri Agency start as an archaeological site?
In fact, it was in October 2005 specifically, when the Ghouri Agency actually opened its doors again as an archaeological site, as a cultural center that was actually working towards success in matters of cultural development and human development in that area in Islamic Cairo..
Its cultural, artistic and tourist activities are still keeping pace with all the huge projects taking place in that archaeological area, whether in the fields of architecture or construction..
Tannoura Traditional Arts Troupe
The Tannoura Troupe for the Revival of Heritage and Antiquities is one of the troupes in the General Authority for the Cultural Palaces Area (Ministry of Culture) in Egypt..
It was actually formed in February 1988 at the headquarters of the region or specifically inside Al-Ghouri Palace to revive the heritage, as it always presents its shows periodically throughout the year..
It has also been mobilized to actually participate in all and various of these important national occasions within the Arab Republic of Egypt..
Woolen skirt (dervishes))
In fact, the Tanoura dance or the Sufi dance is distinguished by its unique, special character, as it depends on all those circular movements, and then stems from the Islamic sense or the Sufi sense, which has a foundation that is actually studied, philosophical, and semantic..
As it essentially goes back to that divine concept that represents or says that the movement in that universe actually begins from one point and then ends at the same point..
Sultan Al-Ghuri Complex – Sultan Ashraf Al-Ghouri Group
The historical heritage collection is located in Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah Street, Cairo, Egypt. Discover the history of construction and information about the interior design of the Al-Ghuri Mosque and Madrasa, a khanqah for Sufis in the Mamluk era..
Sultan Ashraf Abu al-Nasr Qansuh built a group of buildings on al-Ghuriya Street, such as (al-Ghuri Mosque and School, Bridal Bath, large shops, and al-Ghuri Agency – a Sufi khanqah) in the Circassian Mamluk era..
The mosque and school were built in 1503 AD, corresponding to 910 AH, in the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar area, on Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah Al-Fatimi Street..
Al-Ghouri Mosque and School:
Al-Ghouri School is located on the right side of Bab Zuweila at the intersection of Al-Azhar and Al-Muizz Streets in Al-Ghouriyya district. It was built in the Circassian Mamluk era in 1503 AD during the reign of Sultan Qansuh Al-Ghouri..
You will see the mosque, one of the most famous historical mosques, with a memorial entrance topped with a lintel and a precious in addition to a steamer on the cymbal, and above the arch is a window for lighting, a dark arch with a muqarnas top, then the entrance block is a triple arch with a decorated cap with the famous and carved on it the name of God, in addition to muqarnas on the rest of the arch..
The Al-Ghouri Mosque was designed in the form of a hall surrounded by two iwans and two curtains, where the southern, honorary iwan overlooks the shield with a pointed horseshoe arch, on which you will find two almonds with a cartouche written with the name of Sultan Al-Ghouri.
The mihrab is designed with a cap resting on a key cymbal on which is written “God is Truth” and from which emerges a group of vertical glass decorations..
The mosque’s pulpit is designed with a chest, a porch, and two feathers inlaid with ebony and ivory. You will also see in the northwest corner an iwan with a Kawthar arch with the same design as the first iwan..
You will see the design of the minaret with the pavilion in the style of the Qala, and it has 5 heads, 4 of which are on one level. The mosque includes a burial shrine that was designated for the burial of Sultan Al-Ghouri, but he was not buried in it.
You will see that the dome of the shrine fell and deteriorated as a result of the lack of interest in it and its restoration, and the passage of time and factors of erosion and climate..
The Al-Ghouri Group is called Al-Ghouri Cultural Palace, where you will find that the entrance to the mosque is designed in the memorial entrance and includes a seat and a fountain topped with books and a school in the Mamluk style, while getting to know the gates of Old Cairo..
Al-Ghouri Agency:
You will find the agency on the left side of Al-Azhar Mosque, on the right side of the street. We find a narrow passage or street in which you will find a market for selling vegetables and fruits, where there is a huge building with large wooden doors and a reception hall that was built in the sixteenth century and was designated for storing merchants..
You can see 3 Mamluk-style mashrabiyas and go up to the upper floors of the agency, which are art workshops..
Al-Ghouria Street Sultan Al-Ghuri Complex
The history of the establishment of the most important historical monuments in the Gamaliya area of Islamic Cairo, Egypt, and what the Ghuriya district contains of mosques, shrines and schools from the Fatimid and Ottoman eras.
One of the ancient historical streets in Cairo, and one of the streets that is distinguished by the presence of ancient Islamic monuments, as we find many ancient mosques that are more than 5 centuries old.
The place has now been transformed into a large clothing market, but its historical traces are still visible and evident to this day, through the authentic architectural style. This street includes a huge complex of Islamic antiquities from the Fatimid, Ayyubid and Mamluk eras, which is not contained in any other place..
History of Sultan Al-Ghuri Complex in Cairo
Which is located in a neighborhood that bears his name, it was established by Sultan Abu al-Nasr Qansuh al-Ghuri al-Sharkisi, the last sultan of the Mamluk state, who was overthrown by the Ottoman Caliph Selim I..
It is an ancient street located in the Gamaleya district in Islamic Cairo. It was founded by Sultan Qansuh al-Ghouri, the last sultan of the Mamluk state. Al-Azhar Mosque is located in the middle of Gamaleya Street, and intersects with Al-Muizz li-Din Allah al-Fatimi Street..
It had shops for making and sewing royal clothes, and was the most famous place to buy gifts made of good fabrics. It is now considered the first clothing and furniture market for many people..
The street was known as “Al-Sharbashiyyin” and was once distinguished by the manufacture and tailoring of royal clothing..
The street and the neighborhood itself feel authentic. The world-famous writer Naguib Mahfouz wrote his trilogy of novels, “Palace of Longing, Al-Sukkariya, and Bayn Al-Qasrayn,” after the names of neighborhoods and areas in this neighborhood, which is part of the Al-Gamaleya district, where Naguib Mahfouz lived at the beginning of his life..
Main landmarks of the street – Sultan Al-Ghuri Complex
There are a group of historic buildings on Al-Ghuriya Street at the corner of the historic Al-Muizz Street, which is considered the longest historic street in the world at its intersection with Al-Ghuriya Street. Among what you can see on Al-Ghuriya Street in Cairo:
Sultan Al-Ghuri Complex: It is a large courtyard surrounded by lined shops that were designated for receiving merchants with their goods. It had a place for animals, warehouses for crops, and places for incoming merchants to spend the night. It is now affiliated with the Ministry of Culture as a monument and a center for the arts, and it still maintains its original architectural character..
Al-Ghuriya Sabil: It includes three windows, all of which overlook Al-Azhar Street and Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah Street. This area represented the heart of Fatimid Cairo and the center of its trade..
School: It is a place of education decorated with many beautiful geometric shapes, and the floor is made of decorated white marble..
Al-Aqmar Mosque: It was built by the minister Al-Ma’mun bin Al-Bata’ihi by order of the Caliph Al-Amir bi-Ahkam Allah in the year 519 AH. The mosque was given this name due to the color of its white stones, which resemble the color of the moon..
Al-Ghuriya Street in Cairo includes many other tourist attractions, such as the Tekiyat al-Selhadar, the Kamiliya School, Bab Zuweila, and Bab al-Futuh..
Visiting hours: You can visit Sultan Al-Ghuri Complex in Cairo at any time..
Ticket prices: The street is free to walk, shop and take photos.
Detailed street address: Al-Azhar Street, Al-Gamaleya, Cairo.
What is the price of a ticket to visit Al-Ghouri Agency for Egyptians?
The ticket fee for visiting the Ghouri Agency for adults is: 10 Egyptian pounds.
The ticket fee for visiting Al-Ghouri Agency for Egyptian students is: 5 Egyptian pounds.
What is the price of a ticket to visit Al-Ghouri Agency for foreigners?
The ticket fee to visit Al-Ghouri Agency is: 40 Egyptian pounds.
If the visitor is a foreign student, the entrance fee is: 20 Egyptian pounds.
Note: Facts and secrets of the history will be added soon…
Hurghada Excursions Lovers, Best Travel Agency in Hurghada to provide daily tours to visit the Tourist attractions of Luxor by Hurghada to Luxor Tours and Hurghada to Pyramids Trips. Book online when you come to Hurghada, El Gouna, Sahl Hashish, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay.
