Sabil-kuttab of Khusraw Pasha, Ottoman educational fountain in Islamic Cairo, Egypt
The Sabil-kuttab of Khusraw Pasha is an Ottoman-era building that combines a public water fountain with a teaching school, featuring traditional Islamic architectural elements along Shari' al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah street. The structure contains two functional parts carefully integrated into a single building.
The building was constructed in 1535 during Ottoman rule and commissioned by Khusraw Pasha, a high-ranking official who governed the region. Its creation came at a time when such dual-function structures were an important part of urban infrastructure.
The building served the community in two ways: it provided free drinking water through the sabil and taught Quranic lessons to children in the kuttab section. This dual purpose made it an important place for daily life and religious education in the neighborhood.
The building sits on a busy street in old Cairo and is accessible on foot when walking along the main thoroughfare. Wearing comfortable shoes is advisable since the area is full of narrow alleys and uneven surfaces.
The structure displays a blend of Mamluk and Ottoman building styles, representing a transition between two architectural periods. The detailed ornamental work comes from skilled craftspeople and tells stories of regional building techniques from that era.
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