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.

## 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. 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.

### Construction den context

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. 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 &#x2013; 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. 

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. 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.
File:Tombs_of_the_caliphs,_with_minaret,_Cairo,_Egypt._Coloured_l_Wellcome_V0049384.jpg|Illustration of de Qaytbay complex by David Roberts (c. 1848)
File:Tombeaux_des_Khalifes._Kait-Beit._Egypte_-_Bonfils._LCCN2004668124.jpg|Exterior of de Qaytbay complex (c. 1867)
File:Interieur_de_la_mosqée_Kaı̈t-Bey_-_Bonfils._LCCN2004668125.jpg|Photo of de mosque ein interior (c. 1867)
File:Caire._Chaire_et_sanctuaire_de_Kaït-Bey_-_Bonfils._LCCN2004668126.jpg|Photo of de mosque ein mihrab den minbar (c. 1867)
File:Tombeau_du_Sultan_Kaı̈t-Bey,_intérieur_-_Bonfils._LCCN2004668127.jpg|Photo of Qaytbay ein tomb chamber (c. 1867)


## 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

File:Qaitbey5 (2133771422).jpg|View of de entrance façade of de mosque/madrasa, plus de sabil for de lower left den de kuttab for de upper left above am
File:Qaytbay complex portal DSCF7244.jpg|De entrance portal
File:Qaitbey2 (2132987471).jpg|Details of de minaret
File:Qaytbay interior.jpg|View of de prayer hall of de mosque, plus de mihrab for de right; de arches feature ablaq masonry
File:Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaytbay Mosque and Mausoleum.jpg|De western iwan
File:Qaytbay lantern ceiling.jpg|De wooden lantern ceiling over de prayer hall of de mosque
File:Qaytbay mausoleum dome (R Prazeres 2019) DSCF0095.jpg|alt=|De dome of de mausoleum
File:Qaytbay dome closeup.jpg|Closeup of de dome ein stone-carved relief patterns
File:Qaitbey12 (2133767392).jpg|De mausoleum chamber of Sultan Qaytbay, plus mihrab visible (photo from 2006, before recent restorations)
File:Qaitbey3 (2133737622).jpg|Interior of de mausoleum dome
File:Gate of Qaytbay complex.jpg|De remains of de old gate of Qaytbay ein complex, Bab al-Gindi
File:Qaytbay minor mausoleum.jpg|De smaller attach mausoleum, dem dedicate to Qaytbay ein son den, later, to Gulshani
File:Qaytbay complex maqad 2019.jpg|De (dem recently restore) *maq'ad* of Qaytbay ein complex, a part of de residential compound he build
File:Hod of Qaytbay complex.jpg|De *hod* of Qaytbay complex, a drinking trough give animals (dem picture insyd 2012, before recent restoration)
File:Hod details of Qaytbay complex.jpg|Stone-carved details of de *hod*
File:Qaytbay rab.jpg|De remains of de *rab*' anaa apartment bloc of Qaytbay ein complex, north of de mosque
File:Qaytbay rab portal.jpg|Portal of de *rab*' of Qaytbay ein complex 

## 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