Funerary complex of Sultan Qaytbay

De funerary complex of Sultan Qaytbay be an architectural complex de Mamluk sultan al-Ashraf Qaytbay insyd Cairo ein Northern Cemetery. Na dem build am between 1470 den 1474. De main building be a mosque (originally a madrasa) dem attach to Qaytbay ein mausoleum, while oda parts of de complex dey include residential structures, a drinking trough give animals, den a smaller tomb. Dem consider de complex one of de most beautiful den accomplished monuments of late Mamluk architecture wey dem picture am for for de Egyptian one pound note top.Williams, Caroline. 2008 (6th ed.). Islamic Monuments in Cairo: The Practical Guide. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press.Behrens-Abouseif, Doris. 2007. Cairo of the Mamluks: A History of Architecture and its Culture. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press.AlSayyad, Nezar. 2011. Cairo: Histories of a City. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

 Historical background 

 Sultan Qaytbay den ein reign 
Na Al-Ashraf Qaytbay be a mamluk purchase by Sultan Barsbay (r. 1422–1438) wey na he serve under chaw Mamluk sultans, de last of whom – Sultan al-Zahir Timurbugha (r. 1467–1468) – appoint am amir al-kabir, de commander-in-chief anaa highest position for an amir under de sultan.Williams, Caroline. 2008 (6th ed.). Islamic Monuments in Cairo: The Practical Guide. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press.Behrens-Abouseif, Doris. 2007. Cairo of the Mamluks: A History of Architecture and its Culture. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press.AlSayyad, Nezar. 2011. Cairo: Histories of a City. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. Qaytbay succeed Timurbugha as sultan for de age of 54, wey he rule for nearly 29 years from 1468 to 1496, de second-longest reign of any Egyptian Mamluk sultan (after al-Nasir Muhammad). Na ein period be marked by external threats den internal rebellions, notably from de rising Ottomans, wich require costly military expeditions, as well as by financial problems. 

Nonetheless, Qaytbay be known as an effective ruler wey bring long-term stability while insyd power. He be notable as one of de greatest patrons of architecture insyd de Mamluk period, particularly of de Burji Mamluk period wich na otherwise be marked by Egypt ein relative decline. He be known for at least 85 structures wich na he build anaa he restore insyd Egypt, Syria, Palestine, den Mecca, wey dey include 17 insyd Cairo, wey dis period be characterized by a refinement of de Mamluk architectural style wich include greater decorative detail.Williams, Caroline. 2008 (6th ed.). Islamic Monuments in Cairo: The Practical Guide. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press.

 Construction den context 
alt=|left|thumb|Qaytbay ein royal complex insyd a photo from 1858. Qaytbay ein mausoleum dey under de dome insyd de middle. To de right be de smaller dome over wat now be Gulshani ein tomb.
Na Qaytbay ein funerary complex be one of ein earliest architectural commissions; construction work for de complex begin insyd 1470 wey na dem plete de mausoleum insyd 1474.Behrens-Abouseif, Doris. 2007. Cairo of the Mamluks: A History of Architecture and its Culture. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press. Na de construction period be long by Mamluk standards; however, na Qaytbay ein complex dey on a large scale wey e constitute an entire royal quarter anaa walled suburb insyd de then-lightly urbanized desert cemetery area east of Cairo – now dem know am as de Northern Cemetery. 

Na dis desert area be develop by de Burji Mamluks insyd de 15th century as de main southern Qarafa necropolis, not to mention de main city einself, cam turn too full give major new monuments. Na major construction projects like Qaytbay fi be aimed in part for urbanizing dis spacious area for de time, though eventually e cam turn mostly an extension of de city ein vast cemeteries. Ein religious den commercial establishments take advantage of a caravan route wich run thru am from Cairo to Mecca insyd de east den to Syria insyd de north.Williams, Caroline. 2008 (6th ed.). Islamic Monuments in Cairo: The Practical Guide. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press. 

Qaytbay ein large complex, like odas dem build by Mamluk amirs den sultans, combine chaw charitable den commercial functions, wich fi contribute to ein family ein financial future after ein death.Williams, Caroline. 2008 (6th ed.). Islamic Monuments in Cairo: The Practical Guide. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press.Behrens-Abouseif, Doris. 2007. Cairo of the Mamluks: A History of Architecture and its Culture. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press. Na dem sanso build Qaytbay ein mausoleum den complex close to de shrine of de Muslim mystic 'Abd Allah al-Manafi, over whose tomb Qaytbay build a new dome insyd 1474. Dis fi influence ein decision make he appoint a shaykh of de Maliki madhhab to ein mosque, wich na ebe unusual for Mamluk institutions.

 Modern-day use den restoration 

For de past few years, na de Cairo-based ARCHiNOS Architecture dey conserve monuments within de funerary complex of Sultan al-Ashraf Qaitbey. De work be primarily financed by de European Union den done under de auspices of de Historic Cairo Project within de Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities. ARCHiNOS increasingly include social development den cultural components insyd ein work, wey dem adapt de reception hall insyd de Sultan ein onetime residence (maq‘ad) give a hub of art den culture insyd de neighbourhood. ARCHiNOS sanso upgrade de small urban square in front of de building make e make am a fitting setting give chaw cultural events dem organise insyd den around de maq‘ad of Sultan Qaitbey. Insyd 2016, na dem establish de not-for-profit Sultan Foundation make e provide access to culture insyd de underprivileged neighbourhood den make e promote links between preservation of cultural heritage den social den economic development.

Gallery

 References 

 External links 

 3D Virtual Tours - spherical view of the interior of Qaytbay's mosque.
 3D Virtual Tours - spherical view of the interior of Qaytbay's tomb chamber.
 Discover Islamic Art - information and pictures on Qaytbay's mosque/madrasa, including floor plan.
 Dobrowolska Agnieszka/Dobrowolski, Jaroslaw: More than Stones: Heritage for the Living in Cairo's 'City of the Dead', 2018

Category:Qaitbay
Category:Mamluk architecture insyd Egypt
Category:Religious buildings den structures plus domes
Category:Mosques insyd Cairo
Category:Mausoleums insyd Cairo
Category:Buildings den structures dem plete insyd 1474
Category:Mosques dem plete insyd de 1470s
Category:15th-century establishments dem plete insyd de Mamluk Sultanate
Category:Religious buildings den structures plus minarets
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