MADRASAH AND MOSQUE OF SULTAN QATBAY
Qatbay Madrasa and mosque, passing a horse trough before reaching the stairs leading to the elevated mosque.
To get to the madrasa and the mosque of Sultan Qatbay, you first pass a horse trough, before reaching the staircase leading to the elevated mosque. Hard to miss, its three-gallery minaret is the highest in the city, at an estimated 81 meters. To the left of the vestibule is the sabil, topped on the second floor by the traditional kuttab.
The vestibule sets the tone for the entire building, with the monogrammed symbol of Sultan Qatbay recognizable on the walls. The interior of the mosque, built in 1472, consists of a covered courtyard served by four iwans of different sizes. The marble floor is splendid, and the wall facings have disappeared. The stained glass windows in the upper part of the walls let in blue and yellow light.
This mosque is best known for its woodwork and the quality of its decoration. The ceiling of the durqaa, which covers the central courtyard, is a real jewel, lit by windows closed by Mamluk latticework. The ceilings of the iwans are no less beautiful, particularly that of the qibla. You should also pay close attention to the mother-of-pearl and ivory details of the wooden minbar, which can be clearly seen by sitting on the floor on the carpets.
Nearby the Qatbay mosque is a glass-blower's workshop and a small palace, unfortunately closed to visitors.
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