Palace of Yashbak, Mamluk palace in Cairo, Egypt.
The Palace of Yashbak is a Mamluk structure in Cairo with tall stone walls, intricate muqarnas carving, and a large reception hall featuring vaulted ceilings and multiple iwans. The remaining building includes high walls, an ornate entrance portal, and several vaulted chambers that formerly functioned as stables and storage spaces beneath the main reception level.
The structure was built between 1330 and 1337 for Amir Qawsun during Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad's reign. In the late 15th century, Amir Yashbak min Mahdi undertook major renovation work that gave the palace its lasting name.
The entrance portal bears the signature of craftsman Mahmud the Syrian and displays ablaq stonework patterns that reflect two different Mamluk periods. This blending shows how different craftspeople left their marks on the same structure.
The property is partially preserved today and allows visitors to view the impressive walls and entrance portal up close. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when sunlight is gentler and the details of the stonework are easier to see.
The upper reception hall featured a roofed courtyard, an unusual solution for the 1330s that showed advanced thinking. This design demonstrates how 14th-century architects used sophisticated techniques to shield interior spaces from heat and sun.
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