Mosque of Amir al-Maridani, Islamic place of worship in Cairo Governorate, Egypt.
The Mosque of Amir al-Maridani is a place of worship built in the Mamluk architectural style, featuring an octagonal minaret and a large dome with intricately decorated exterior walls. The structure displays the defining characteristics of this period through its carefully crafted details on the facade and roofline.
Construction began in 1337 when Amir al-Maridani, then Cairo's police chief, acquired and cleared the land to build this place of worship. The project emerged during a period when such foundations were an important way for influential officials to establish their position in the city.
The prayer hall contains numerous columns taken from ancient sites, showing how medieval Islamic builders reused old materials in their constructions. This practice was common at the time and gives the interior a layered historical character.
The building underwent comprehensive restoration in 2018 and is now integrated into a walking route through the Darb al-Ahmar district. Visitors can reach it easily while exploring other historic sites in the same area.
The octagonal minaret was the first known example of this completely octagonal shaft design in Islamic architecture. The top features an unusual bulbous finial instead of the traditional style seen elsewhere.
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