Gallery
Description
Property Name: Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hasan
Inventory No: 20-2-11
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2007-12-17
Country (State party): Egypt
Province: Cairo
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 30° 1′ 55.55″ N
31° 15′ 23.22″ E
Historic Period: Bahri Mamluk (1250-1382)
Year of Construction: 1356-1359
Style:
Original Use: Madrasa, Mosque, Mausoleum
Current Use: Mosque, Mausoleum
Architect: Unknown
Significance
This early Mamluk structure is a large complex, consisting of a mosque with four iwan scheme and madrasas at the corners. The most significant feature of this edifice is that it exceeded the size of the previous monuments. Also, it was the first madrasa in Cairo which was considered as a congregational mosque for Friday prayer. This complex was constructed relatively quickly with foreign craftsmen from Syria and Iran, whose traces can be seen in the architectural details and decoration.
Selection Criteria
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
The complex underwent restoration by the Egyptian Antiques Organization in 1980s. During this process, the damaged floor tiles, plasters, stone copings were restored, the stalactites, the wooden ties, the stucco windows, the copper windows, the gilded friezes, the stone façades and all the marble elements were cleaned. The interior electrical network of the complex was changed.
References
Behrens-Abouseif, Doris. The City in Islamic Architecture in Cairo: An Introduction. E.J. Brill, New York, 1989.
Michell, George. Architecture of the Islamic World: Its History and Social Meaning. Thames and Hudson, London, 1978.
Mosques of Salah Al-Din Square, Egyptian Antiquities Organisation, Cairo.