Funerary complex of Sultan Qaytbay

Sultan Qaytbay (1897), identified by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, as the mosque of Qaitbey Al-Ashraf Qaytbay was a mamluk purchased by Sultan Barsbay () and served under several Mamluk sultans, the last of whom – Sultan al-Zahir Timurbugha () – appointed him amir al-kabir, the commander-in-chief or highest position for an amir under the sultan. He is known for at least 85 structures which he built or restored in Egypt, Syria, Palestine, and Mecca, including 17 in Cairo, and this period is characterized by a refinement of the Mamluk style which included greater decorative detail. Its religious and commercial establishments took advantage of a caravan route which ran through it from Cairo to Mecca in the east and to Syria in the north. Qaytbay's large complex, like others built by Mamluk amirs and sultans, combined various charitable and commercial functions, which might have contributed to his family's financial future after his death. Qaytbay's mausoleum and complex was also built close to the shrine of the Muslim mystic 'Abd Allah al-Manafi, over whose tomb Qaytbay built a new dome in 1474. This may have influenced his decision to appoint a shaykh of the Maliki madhhab to his mosque, which was unusual for Mamluk institutions. Tombs of the caliphs, with minaret, Cairo, Egypt. Coloured l Wellcome V0049384.jpg|Illustration of the Qaytbay complex by David Roberts () Tombeaux des Khalifes. Kait-Beit. Egypte - Bonfils. LCCN2004668124.jpg|Exterior of the Qaytbay complex () Interieur de la mosqée Kaı̈t-Bey - Bonfils. LCCN2004668125.jpg|Photo of the mosque's interior () Caire. Chaire et sanctuaire de Kaït-Bey - Bonfils. LCCN2004668126.jpg|Photo of the mosque's mihrab and minbar () Tombeau du Sultan Kaı̈t-Bey, intérieur - Bonfils. LCCN2004668127.jpg|Photo of Qaytbay's tomb chamber () == Description ==

Overview Qaytbay's complex contained numerous buildings over a relatively vast area, enclosed by the same wall, of which one gate, Bab al-Gindi, still remains to the south of the mausoleum. The wooden lantern ceiling above the central space is notable for its carving and painted pattern but is a restoration work by the "Comité" and not the original. This pattern features a central geometric star radiating from the apex of the dome and an arabesque floral design which are superimposed and enhanced by natural shadows. Qaytbay mausoleum dome (R Prazeres 2019) DSCF0095.jpg|alt=|The mausoleum dome Qaytbay dome closeup.jpg|Closeup of the dome's stone-carved relief patterns Qaitbey12 (2133767392).jpg|The mausoleum chamber of Sultan Qaytbay, with mihrab visible, 2006 Qaitbey3 (2133737622).jpg|Interior of the mausoleum dome Other structures To the west of Qaytbay's main mosque is a smaller domed tomb which may have been built earlier when Qaytbay was only an amir, but was later dedicated to his sons. Just west of this is a ''maq'ad'', which usually denotes a loggia overlooking a courtyard but in this case is an enclosed hall with many windows, located over storage rooms. Just to the north of the mosque, on the main street, is a hod or drinking trough for animals, with shallow decorative niches along its wall. Further north are the semi-ruined remains of a rab or apartment complex on the west side of the main street. It is partially buried below street level but its high vaulted entrance portal is still visible. Gate of Qaytbay complex.jpg|The remains of the old gate of Qaytbay's complex, Bab al-Gindi Qaytbay minor mausoleum.jpg|The smaller attached mausoleum, dedicated to Qaytbay's son and, later, to Gulshani Qaytbay complex maqad 2019.jpg|The (recently restored) ''maq'ad'' of Qaytbay's complex, a part of the residential compound he built Hod of Qaytbay complex.jpg|The hod of Qaytbay complex, a drinking trough for animals (pictured in 2012, before recent restoration) Hod details of Qaytbay complex.jpg|Stone-carved details of the hod Qaytbay rab.jpg|The remains of the rab or apartment bloc of Qaytbay's complex, north of the mosque Qaytbay rab portal.jpg|Portal of the rab of Qaytbay's complex == Modern-day use and restoration ==

For the past few years, the Cairo-based ARCHiNOS Architecture has been conserving monuments within the funerary complex of Sultan al-Ashraf Qaitbey. The work is primarily financed by the European Union and done under the auspices of the Historic Cairo Project within the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities. ARCHiNOS has increasingly included social development and cultural components in its work, and has adapted the reception hall in the Sultan's onetime residence (maq‘ad) for a hub of art and culture in the neighbourhood. ARCHiNOS also upgraded the small urban square in front of the building to make it a fitting setting for various cultural events organised in and around the maq‘ad of Sultan Qaitbey. In 2016, the not-for-profit Sultan Foundation has been established to provide access to culture in the underprivileged neighbourhood and to promote links between preservation of cultural heritage and social and economic development. == See also ==