Wikala of Qaytbay, caravanserai, apartment complex in Cairo, Egypt
The Wikala of Qaytbay is a trade building in the Hayy al-Azhar district with thick stone walls and decorated entrance portals. Inside, an open courtyard is surrounded by storage rooms and living quarters, while wooden balconies overlook the upper levels.
The building was constructed in 1481 by Sultan al-Ashraf Qaitbay during a period when the city and trade were flourishing in Mamluk times. It belongs to an era when powerful rulers built large structures to display their authority and wealth.
The building shows how merchants and craftspeople lived and worked in the medieval city at that time. Its design reflects the way people organized their homes and businesses according to their social position.
Visitors should expect uneven stone floors and narrow passages, as the building's age is quite visible throughout. A guided tour or a local guide can help explain the different rooms and how they were originally used.
The building has been preserved through extensive restoration work and still displays original stone portals and 15th-century craftsmanship in its details. These elements allow visitors to see genuine medieval construction techniques and design principles as they were actually practiced.
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