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al-Muizz Street - Cairo

Introduction

Al-Muizz street is not only rich in history but it has also become a place where inhabitants and passers-by now mingle together and re-appropriate the public space on their own, thus creating a place to be seen and socialize. This famous street of Cairo started to take shape in 969 by order of the Fatimid Caliph al-Muizz li-Din Allah as Egypt’s new capital, its walls enclosed opulent palaces and the prestigious mosque-university of Al-Azhar. Of the several streets and alleys in the new city, Al-Muizz Street stretching between Bab Al-Fotouh (gate of conquest) and Bab Zuweila was the main thoroughfare of Fatimid Cairo.

History

Through the different ages, al-Muizz Street maintained its glorious position and encouraged Mamluks, Ayyubids and Ottomans to enhance its character by building splendid mosques, sebils , Kuttabs (Quranic schools), houses and wekalas (trade complex). It is over one kilometer long street then became a spine lined with over 30 soared monuments displaying distinguished styles of Islamic architecture embellished with fine mashrabiya (woodwork) facades, painted mosaic and decorative domes.

In this photo, the life of Cairenes (people of Cairo) can be seen, this road is close to famous Bab Zuweila
This photos marks the starting point at the south of the Great Street of Cairo
An old car parked next to the Bab Zuweila, this door is located in the south of the al-Muizz Street
Dome of the Mosque of Sultan al-Muayyad is seen here from the Bab Zuweila - this Mamluk mosque was built in 1415
An entrance portico of a mosque on the al-Muizz Street
A minaret of the Fakahani Mosque can be seen in the background - this mosque was constructed by the Fatimid Sultan El Zahir
A decorated wooden door on al-Muizz Street
This sebil was built by Muhammad Ali Pasha in the memory of his beloved son Tusun - who died in 1816 and construction of sebil took place in 1820
Exterior of the Sabil of Muhammad Ali Pasha
This type of windows were common in the past - they would allow fresh breeze inside without compromising the privacy

Sultan al-Ghuri Complex on al-Muizz Street consists of a Khanqah, Mausoleum, Sabil-Kuttab, Mosque and Madrasa.The Sultan al-Ghuri Complex was built between 1503-1505. This section of the al-Muizz Street is a true reflection (apart from busy al-Azhar Street) of the medieval Cairo.

Exterior of the Sultan al-Ghuri Complex
High wooden roof of the Madrassa of Sultan al-Ghuri
Facade of al-Ghuri Complex
A side view of the Sultan al-Ghuri Complex
In the foreground, the wall of the complex can be seen - It is adjacent to the Al-Azhar Street which splits the al-Muizz Street in the southern and northern sections
A photo taken in the morning and it seems local were not ready for their daily routine yet
Another view of the al-Muizz Street, located to the south of al-Azhar Street
A closer look at the admin building which is also responsible for the publishing of many books
Facade of the Employees Affairs Administration - this building is located opposite to the al-Azhar Mosque
By the look of the things, this build was full of debris and it didn't seem to be in use
This tunnel like passage goes under the al-Azhar Street in order to access the al-Muizz Street
Here two mosques are seen through a window - the Great Mosque of al-Azhar is to the left and Mosque of Abu Dhahab is to the right with a larger dome
The Mosque of Abu Dhahab was built by the Amir Mohamed Beh Abu El Dahab (an Ottoman leader in Egypt) in 1774
A modern looking building with the traditional wooden windows was located on the opposite side of the al-Azhar Street
The northern section of the al-Muizz Street - this section of street is almost one kilometer in length
A plaque beside the tomb of Al-Salih Najm Al-Deen Ayyub
Next to mausoleum of Al-Salih Najm Al-Deen Ayyub are a madrasa and a hospital
Entrance of the al-Salih complex (madrassa, hospital and mausoleum) - it was built by Al-Salih’s wife Shajar Al-Durr in 1250
Details of the upper part of the entry door
One thing which I noted in particular was that section of the street was well maintained as compared to the southern section
Front door of the al-Qamar Mosque - this mosque was built in 1125 by the 10th Fatimid Caliph Al-Amir bi’Ahkam Allah
Decorative details above the entrance - originally, this mosque was built above the shops but now they are buried underneath due to the rising ground level
The Sebil and Kuttab (school) of Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda was built by Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda in 1744
Upper section of the sebil (water fountain) - this sebil was built to provide free water for the locals
Lower part of the sebil - this sebil was built in a way (free standing) so it could offer good view of the al-Muizz Street
A shop selling religious decoration pieces - the large one at the front normally go at the top of a minaret or dome of a mosque
Shops inside the al-Muizz Street - now a days, this street is free of traffic between 8am to 11pm
A woman selling posters of political leaders and other famous people
An apartment building with the wooden balconies beside the al-Muizz Street
Modern looking wooden decorations
Daily life of the egyptians in Cairo - a woman selling bread on footpath, two boys going to school, a young girl walking with a skirt, another woman with a mobile phone in her hand
Locals in one of the side streets - the girl in red head scarf was struck with fear when talking to the guy
This famous street of Cairo was always thecentral point of local life
A street has displayed lemons and Syzygium cumini (Jamun) for sale
Here comes the Bab al-Futuh (the Conquest Gate) - this gate is located at the other end of the al-Muizz Street