Mosque and Khanqah of Shaykhu, Religious complex in Islamic Cairo, Egypt
The Mosque and Khanqah of Shaykhu are two distinct structures positioned on opposite sides of Saliba Street, with the mosque serving as a prayer hall and the khanqah functioning as living and teaching quarters. Both buildings showcase Mamluk architectural style with internal courtyards, arched passages, and irregular room arrangements that reflect their different functions.
Construction began in 1349 under the patronage of Grand Emir Sayf al-Din Shaykhu al-Nasiri during Sultan an-Nasir Hasan's reign, establishing this complex as a center for religious scholarship. The period marked a flourishing of Mamluk architectural and educational institutions across Cairo.
The khanqah served as a home and study center where students of Islamic law gathered to learn from scholars across different traditions. Visitors today can see how the spaces were designed for both living and teaching within a tight community.
Visitors should allow time to explore both the mosque and khanqah separately, as they face each other across the street and require crossing to see the full layout. It helps to observe how each building's interior spaces are organized around courtyards and to note the architectural details that distinguish prayer areas from residential and teaching zones.
The khanqah courtyard displays an early example of polychrome marble paving that represents an innovation in decorative technique during the Mamluk era. This carefully laid floor pattern shows how craftsmen were experimenting with geometric designs and colored stone arrangements that would later influence other religious buildings across the city.
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