Wikalet Al-Ghuri, 16th-century caravanserai in Islamic Cairo, Egypt
The Wikalet Al-Ghuri is a five-story commercial building organized around a rectangular courtyard with stone construction below and brick above. The central courtyard served as the hub where goods were handled and business conducted.
Sultan Qansuh al-Ghuri commissioned this commercial complex in 1505 as part of a larger ensemble including a mosque, mausoleum, and schools. It stands as a testament to trade's importance and the era's architectural innovation in the Mamluk realm.
The ground level served commerce and storage, while merchants lived above and other residents occupied the higher floors. This arrangement still reflects how closely business and daily life intertwined in medieval Cairo.
The building sits west of Al-Azhar Mosque and reopened after 2004 restoration with workshops, offices, and performance spaces available to explore. Visitors should expect narrow stairways and multiple levels, typical of medieval construction adapted for commerce.
A marble fountain at the courtyard center provided refreshment for travelers and merchants conducting their affairs. The presence of water signaled wealth and reflected the sultan's generosity toward those using the building.
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