Mu’ayyad Mosque and Bab Zuweila

Mu’ayyad Mosque and Bab Zuweila Al Mu’ayyad Mosque is considered to be one of the Mosques in Old Cairo who’s construction dates back to the Circassian Mamluk Era. The location of the Mosque was a Prison known as Shamayel Khazaen, so the Historians called it the Mosque Sultan The Prisoner Mosque. The Mosque housed a very valuable Library and Teachers were appointed to Teach Religious Sciences, which started in the Year 822AH, however the Mosque suffered damage as well as vandalism but some repair works were duly carried out and especially by the Committee for the Preservation of Arab Antiquities from the end of the Nineteenth Century. Egypt went through a Major economic trauma during the construction of the Al-Mu’ayyad Mosque which affected the building work, so the Dome and Sufi Houses were not constructed, however Historical sources indicates that when the Sultan Al-Mu’ayyad died he was carried from the Castle to his Mosque and was buried in the Eastern Dome. At the South end of Al-Muizz Al-Deen Street, there are two Minarets which overshadow the Gates of Fatimid Cairo which is Bab Zuweila which was constructed as the South Gate to The City in the eleventh Century. The Twin Spires were built on in the fifteenth Century when the Mu’ayyad Mosque which is settled just inside the Gate on the West Side of the Street was constructed by the Mamluk Sultan Mu’ayyad Sayif Ad-Din Sheikh. The Mosque of Sultan al Mu’yyad is an Ancient Mosque which is in Old Cairo in Egypt, which lies next to Bab Zuwayla which was constructed by the Mamluk Sultan Mu’ayyad Sayif Ad-Din Shaykh from which the Mosque aquires it’s name. The construction incorporated a Madrasa and a Mosque for four Madhabs. The building was started in 1415CE and was finalized in 1421CE. Mosque of Sultan al-Mu’ayyad Information. Address.. Al Sharkia, El-Darb El-Ahmar, Cairo Governate Opened…1421 CE Archetectual Style…Mamluk Construction Function…Mosque Affiliation…Islam The Hours of Opening Times 9.00am-5.00pm This Mosques hold a very riveting story, in which the Sultan Al Mu’ayyad was incarcerated in the same place of the Mosque where he was tortured , after this he made a promise that he would turn the Prison into a Mosque and Madrasa if he became the Control after his freedom was restored. When he took back his freedom, he duly transformed the Prison into one of the most striking Mosques and Madrasa within Old Islamic Cairo, he also included the most prominent Teachers to teach about Islam, also Marble was acquired from various locations in vivid colors to adorn floors and walls. The Twin Minarets of the Mosque which are above the Bab Zawila offers opportunities for some great photo shots as both are open to climb. The Mausaleum of the Al Mu’yyad Family can be located inside of the Mosque inside an amazing Marble Tomb which was acquired from various locations. There is a legend which says that the Sultan was incarcerated in the Prison which had stood at a previous same site under another Sultan. He swore that he would turn the location into a Centre for Worship and for Teaching, if he ever escaped and became controller. Sayif Ad-Din Sheikh helped to bring down Sultan Faraj in 1412, who was responsible for his imprisonment , so in the evolving power Struggle Mu’ayyad became the Sultan of Egypt. He carried out his promise by constructing the Mu’ayyad Mosque, which hosts a vast space for Friday Prayers, including a smaller Madrasa style Mosque, where he employed the most prominent Scholars to Teach all about Islam. The Sultan Al Muyaddah allocated a lot on the constructions of the Mosque and the Madrasa which was gained through Taxes and other sections from various other Mosques to be included to his one. One of the more famous sections which was brought to his Mosque originally belonged to the Sultan Hassan Mosque. In the present Day the Mu’ayyad Mosque still remains one of the most striking Mosques in the City, which lays tribute to the Sultan Mu’ayyad’s reputation as a great sponsor of architecture in Cairo. The Bab Zuweila Complex which lies inside the Mosque was recently refurbished. Inside you can discover the explination of the Gates construction and renovation throughout the Centuries, which includes Three Gates which were constructed by Three Brothers. There are Plaques which show where Pharaonic inscriptions can be found on the Walls carved into the Stones that were recycled from Older Pharaonic Temples. If you climb to the top of the Wall the Minarets give the opportunity of the most beautiful view over Islamic Cairo, Azhar Park and The Citadel. The Twin Minarets offer a distinctive photo opportunity, especially as both are opened to be climbed . If you position one Person with a Camera to the top of each one, both People can then take a picture of the other standing at the top of the opposite Minaret. To obtain a fantastic view of Islamic Cairo, you will have to climb the Minarets which provides a unique view of The Cityto the North and South. Next to the Mosque there is a stunning Building which looks like a small Palace which is actually the Bath House. Hammam of Sultan Al Muayyad