revised February 8, 2003

DECORATIVE STONES IN THE PRE-OTTOMAN ISLAMIC BUILDINGS OF CAIRO, EGYPT

Part II:

INVENTORY OF STONES IN THE BUILDINGS

by

Prof. James A. Harrell, Ph.D.

Department of Environmental Sciences (Mail Stop #604)

The University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio 43606-3390, USA

Tele: 419-530-2193

Fax: 419-530-4421

E-mail: james.harrell@utoledo.edu

with the assistance of

Prof. Lorenzo Lazzarini, Ph.D.

Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia

Dipartimento di Storia dell'Architettura

Laboratorio di Analisi dei Materiali Antichi

Palazzo Badoer, San Polo, n. 2554

30125 Venezia, Italia

E-mail: lorenzo@brezza.iuav.unive.it

and

Mr. Matthias Bruno

Via D'Ascanio, n. 1A

00186 Roma, Italia

E-mail: matthias@libero.it

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:

1. The stone varieties are identified in this listing with brief descriptive phrases or names that are keyed to the more detailed descriptions provided in Part I of this document.

2. The wall with the mihrab (a.k.a., "prayer niche") is always considered the "east" wall.

3. A "liwan" is a vaulted space and a "riwaq" is an arcaded hall or portico (with columns or piers) where both open onto either a central courtyard ("sahn") or the sunken space beneath a central dome. In this document both features are referred to as a liwan, which is less precise but a common practice. The "qibli liwan" is the sanctuary and includes the prayer niche. Also in the qibli liwan are the "dikka", a raised platform, and the "minbar", a pulpit. A "mastaba" is a stone bench either just outside and flanking a building entrance or just inside the foyer, and a "tabut" is a wooden or, more usually, a marble cenotaph. Technically speaking, a cenotaph is a sepulchral monument for a person who is buried elsewhere but the term is widely applied to tombs or sepulchers in Cairo that do contain the bodies of the deceased.

4. Besides mosques, several other types of Islamic buildings are included in this listing: the "khanqah" is a residential institution for Muslim ascetics; the "zawiya" is a chapel; the "kuttab" is a Quranic school for young boys; the "madrassa" is a theological school for Muslim scholars; the "mashhad" is a combination shrine and mausoleum; the "maristan" is a hospital; the "sabil" is a public water dispensary; and the "ma'qad" is a loggia (i.e., a roofed but open gallery or arcade). A "bab" is a gate in the medieval city wall.

5. The decorative stones included in this document are largely those found inside the buildings (i.e., the exterior decorations are rarely described). The inside stones occur as: doorway lintels, jambs and sills/thresholds; paneling on the walls (variously referred to in the literature as stone or marble veneer, facing, dado or opus sectile); arches, usually with interlocking blocks (the joggling or marquetry of some writers); columns; and cenotaphs.

6. Identification of the stones was not always easy or certain. The buildings are mostly poorly lighted and the stone surfaces are often very dirty. Also, some stones are located high up on the walls where they cannot be closely examined or, in the case of pavements, they are covered by mats and so cannot be seen. Identifications were aided by the use of a flashlight, water spray-dispenser and cleaning rag, dilute hydrochloric acid (for testing calcite content), and binoculars (for viewing the upper walls).

7. The numbers given for each building include the official antiquities monument number (e.g., #100), construction date (e.g., 1300 AD), and map coordinates for the accompanying color map (e.g., B-9). The coordinates follow those on map sheets 1 and 2 of the "Map of Cairo Showing Mohammedan Monuments" with the accompanying "Index to Mohammedan Monuments in Cairo" published in 1951 by the Survey of Egypt in Giza. Copies of these maps are included in Creswell (1952) and Ministry of Waqfs (1992). Other useful but less complete maps for locating Islamic monuments are in Williams (1993: maps 1-12 at the back of the book), Seton-Williams and Stocks (1988: the 32 maps between pages 160-161), and the SPARE (Society for the Preservation of the Architectural Resources of Egypt) series of four maps for sale in Egypt's tourist shops.

8. The buildings are listed below in chronological order.

9. The majority of the buildings have been restored to various degrees. This almost always involved the removal of deteriorated original stones and addition of new decorative stones. The latter are noted as "new" or "modern" where recognized. When these stones do not look new they may be confused with the original ones. Also provided, where known, are the dates of the restorations and who did them. The first modern restorations occurred between 1882 and 1952, and were done by the Comité de la Conservation de l'Art Arabe. Beginning in the 1950's and continuing up until today other restorations have been done by private companies under contract to the Egyptian government as well as by various foreign missions. Other renovations were also conducted prior to the 1800's and in many cases it is not possible to distinguish between the decorative stones from this work and the original construction.

The stones recognized in this document are just those seen at the times of our visits (1996-2000). Current 'restoration' and 'conservation' efforts by the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the private companies hired to do the work are now removing the old decorative stones, if they are broken or badly weathered, and replacing them with new marbles and limestones available on the Cairo market.

10. The dates and names (including spellings) of the buildings are, for the most part, those of Williams (1993). The years of the authors' visits are noted for each building (JAH = James A. Harrell, LL = Lorenzo Lazzarini, and MB = Matthias Bruno) as are also some useful references (using the abbreviated codes below followed by the page numbers; e.g. C52, 56-60).

C52 Creswell, K. A. C., 1952, The Muslim Architecture of Egypt. Vol. I — Ikhshids and Fatimids, A.D. 939-1171: Clarendon Press (Oxford).

C59 Creswell, K. A. C., 1959, The Muslim Architecture of Egypt. Vol. II — Ayyubids and Early Bahrite Mamluks, A.D. 1171-1326: Clarendon Press (Oxford).

D21 Devonshire, R. L., 1921, Some Cairo Mosques, and Their Founders: Constable (London).

H04 Harrell, J.A., 2004, Ornamental stones used in the zawiya/sabil of Farag Ibn Barquq in the Bab Zuwayla area of Cairo: Bulletin of the American Research Center in Egypt, n. 185, p. 18-23.

HW32 Hautecoeur, L. and G. Wiet, 1932, Les Mosquées du Caire (2 vols.): Librairie Ernest Leroux (Paris).

MW92 Ministry of Waqfs, 1992, Mosques of Cairo (in two volumns: I — p. 1-68, pl. 1-93; II — p. 69-141, pl. 94-242): Hazar Publishing (London). [originally published in 1949; this reprinted facsimile edition includes some new material]

S-WS88 Seton-Williams, V. and P. Stocks, 1988, Blue Guide — Egypt: A & C Black (London).

B-A89 Behrens-Abouseif, D., 1989, Islamic Architecture in Cairo:

E. J. Brill (Leiden).

W02 Williams, C., 2002, Islamic Monuments in Cairo — The Practical Guide (5th edition): The American University in Cairo Press (Cairo).

11. The following paper by the author is the only one yet published on the reuse of ancient stones (particularly of the Roman period) in medieval Cairo buildings.

Harrell, J.A., L. Lazzarini and M. Bruno, forthcoming, Reuse of Roman ornamental stones in medieval Cairo, Egypt; in L. Lazzarini (ed.), ASMOSIA VI, Interdisciplinary Studies on Ancient Stone – Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference of the Association for the Study of Marble and Other Stones in Antiquity, Venice, June 15-18, 2000: Aldo Ausilio-Bottega d'Erasmo Editore, Padova.

__________________________________________________________________________

I. Pre-Fatimid Period (before 969 AD)

#79 Nilometer on Roda Island (861 AD) A-13

Water levels are inscribed on a huge octagonal column with a Corinthian capital. The surface is so coated and discolored it's not clear what kind of stone the column is. It appears to be a light gray marble and thus probably Proconnesian.

Visited by: JAH in '96.

References: B-A89, 50-51; W02, 32-34.

#220 Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun (876-9 AD) E-8/F-8/E-9/F-9

Restorations: in 1890-1920 by the Comité.

The only decorative stone in the mosque is associated with the mihrab.

Mihrab: 2 columns on each side — the front 2 are Proconnesian marble (mottled light gray and dark bluish gray marble with faulted layers), and the back two are bigio lumachellato and bigio antico. The capitals are encased in open-work iron frames in the Byzantine style. The floor is Proconnesian marble, and the interior panels include MP imperial porphyry, cipollino rosso brecciato, a finely mottled light gray and dark bluish gray marble (bigio antico ?), and "black" and "white" marbles. The decorative stone in the mihrab reportedly dates from the reign of Sultan Husan al-Din Lagin (1296-1299 AD). The two flanking columns are apparently earlier. The dikka with its 4 supporting columns is of Proconnesian marble.

Visited by: JAH in '96 & '99; MB & LL in '99.

References: C59, 223-229; B-A89, 51-57; S-WS88, 352; MW92, 10-15; W02, 46-51.

#319 Mosque of Amr Ibn al-As (827-1977 AD) B-13

Restoration: in the 1930's by the Comité, and in the 1970's by others.

There are 132 columns in the qibli liwan; the west, south and north liwans have modern concrete pillars. According to a man who works here, the stone columns were installed in the 14th century. The oldest part of the mosque is the tomb in the northeast corner (to left of the mihrab). There is no other decorative stone in the mosque.

Qibli liwan: almost all columns are Proconnesian marble, including the two flanking the mihrab. Other stones are: bigio antico (7), bigio lumachellato (5), pavonazzetto (3), breccia di Settebassi (2, white variety), and greco scritto (1). The columns have a variety of Corinthian capitals.

Exterior entrances: 4 Proconnesian marble columns flank the two entrances on the west side.

Visited by: JAH in '96; MB in '99.

References: B-A89, 47-51; MW92, 8-9; S-WS88, 393; W02, 36-37.

II. Fatimid Period (969-1170 AD)

#97 Mosque of al-Azhar (and associated madrasas) (970-1999 AD) H-5

Restoration: there have been many additions and restorations over the centuries with particularly extensive ones in the 1880's and 1890's by the Comité, and again in the 1990's by the Supreme Council of Antiquities. With the exception of the several scores of columns in the mosque, very little of the original decorative stone remains. The madrasas of Taybars, Aqbughawiya and Gewhar Qunqubay were at one time richly decorated with such stones but these have now been largely replaced with new marbles.

MOSQUE

Columns around the central courtyard: almost all are Proconnesian marble but three are bigio antico. These were reportedly installed during the late 19^th century restoration but they are nevertheless probably of ancient derivation. Those in the liwans (or, more correctly, the riwaqs) are probably all ancient but when they were brought into the mosque is uncertain. The capitals include a variety of Corinthian and, less commonly, Byzantine types. The courtyard and portico pavements are all new light gray marble.

Columns in the south and north liwans: Proconnesian marble, possibly marmo bianco di Carrara, and a brecciated light gray/black marble (U3) at the west end of the north liwan. The capitals include a variety of Byzantine and mostly Corinthian types.

Columns in the outer qibli liwan: mostly Proconnesian marble with some unknown "brecciated pink marble" and some micro-faulted gray-banded white marble (probably a variety of Proconnesian). The single bare mihrab is flanked by two round columns of what looks like cipollino rosso venato and is the same as the new material used elsewhere in the mosque for renovations.

Columns and mihrabs in the inner qibli liwan: mostly Proconnesian marble columns plus several columns of "brecciated light gray/black marble" (U3). These, along with other decorative stones, were installed in the mid-1700's. The central mihrab is flanked by two round columns of cipollino rosso venato (new?) and two small panels of the same stone. The rest of the mihrab appears to be new stone: light and dark gray marbles with smaller pieces of non-fossiliferous red limestone and astracane dorato d'Egitto. Plate 91 of Hautecoeur and Wiet (1932; vol. 2) shows an earlier polychrome marble paneling within the mihrab and on the walls outside of it. There are two mihrabs on the south side of the central one and only the closest has decorative stone and it's all new (flanking round columns of broccato di Verona, and a geometric design using light and dark gray marbles, fossiliferous red limestone, astracane dorato d'Egitto and a pink limestone conglomerate (U6). All paving and other wall stones are new light gray marble.

MADRASA/MAUSOLEUM OF AMIR GEWHAR QUNQUBAY (1440 AD)

Restored in 1980-82 by the Danish Academy of Fine Arts

Wall panels: originally MP greenish black porphyry and verde antico among other stones (seen in 1996); now all removed and replaced with new marbles except for the floor rota of MP greenish black porphyry.

MADRASA OF TAYBARS (1309-1310 AD)

All the decorative stone is new except for the two round, 2.8 m high columns of MP imperial porphyry flanking the mihrab. Creswell (1959: 253-254) says "this beautiful mihrab, one of the finest in Cairo" used many pieces of "coloured marble" for colonnettes and panels. Other marble panels are seen on the adjacent walls in his photographs and in plate 105 of Hautecoeur and Wiet (1932; vol. 2) and plate 53 of Ministry of Waqfs (1992). All of this original paneling was replaced with new marbles in the 1990's.

MADRASA OF AQBUGHAWIYA (1340 AD)

All the decorative stone appears to be new. There are some panels of cipollino rosso venato that are probably new. Perhaps the light gray and Proconnesian marble columns are original. They appear to be ancient but may have been installed in the late 19^th century. Four of these are hexagonal and flank the two mihrabs. Plate 106 of Hautecoeur and Wiet (1932; vol. 2) and plate 60 of Ministry of Waqfs (1992) show an earlier (original?) mihrab with a single tier of tall narrow stone panels and other stone panels on the walls adjacent to the mihrab, including some with an unknown breccia.

Visited by: JAH in '96, '98 & '99; MB in '99.

References: C52, 36-64, 254-257; C59, 253-254; B-A89, 58-63; MW92, 16-20; S-WS88, 256; W02, 151-154.

#15 Mosque of al-Hakim (990-1013 AD) H-3

Restoration: extensively in 1981 by Bohras, an Ismaili Shiite sect in India. It was previously largely in ruins and so the Comité did not attempt to restore it.

The mosque is entirely reconstructed with all new decorative stones except for 16 ancient (?) columns in the qibli liwan: 12 around the mihrab and 4 more at the entrance to the liwan opposite the mihrab.

Mihrab: 10 columns are Proconnesian marble and 2 columns are marmo bianco di Carrara, all with new Islamic capitals and bases. Within the mihrab are 2 new, light gray marble columns; the same marble is used to panel the wall of the niche. Plate 23 of Hautecoeur and Wiet (1932; vol. 2) shows a mihrab and adjacent walls richly decorated with an earlier (c. 1808) polychrome stone paneling that was all removed by Bohras.

Qibli liwan entrance: 2 columns are on each side of the entrance: cipollino verde (1), bigio antico ? (1), and marmo bianco di Carrara (2).

Visited by: JAH in '96 & '99; MB in '99.

References: C52, 65-106; B-A89, 63-65; MW92, 21-24; S-WS88, 231; W02, 182-183.

#515 Mosque of al-Lulua (1016 AD) J-11

According to Creswell (1952: 113-115) there is no decorative stone inside.

Not visited.

Other references: W02, 117-118.

#304 Mosque of al-Guyushi (1085 AD) J-10

From published descriptions, it is clear that there is no decorative stone inside except for 4 "marble" columns in the qibli liwan. Empty recesses indicate that it originally had 2 more columns flanking the mihrab.

Not visited. The site is in a military area and so requires a special permit to visit.

References: B-A89, 66-67; MW92, 25; S-WS88, 375; W02, 118-121.

#6 Bab al-Futuh (1087 AD) H-3

#7 Bab al-Nasr (1087 AD) H-3

#199 Bab Zuwayla (1091 AD) G-5

There are horizontal columns within and perpendicular to the walls. These have a small but definite range of diameters and end types. Some ends have a collar and some have a central hole. JAH was able to closely examine one column at Bab al-Nasr: it's definitely a light gray marble and probably Proconnesian. The other column ends were too inaccessible, dirty or discolored to make identifications.

According to Creswell (1952: 195-196), there are numerous blocks on which Pharaonic hieroglyphics and/or reliefs appear. These are probably either Aswan granite or granodiorite, or siliceous sandstone. The occurrences are as follows: (1) above the last window in the spiral staircase leading to the platform on top of Bab al-Nasr [19^th Dynasty, probably Ramesside]; (2) on top of the quarter-round molding at the southwest corner of the Staircase Tower salient [19^th Dynasty, probably Ramesside]; (3) on a slab used for covering the last arrow-slit in the gallery between the Bab al-Futuh and Staircase Tower [19^th Dynasty, Ramesses II]; (4) on the Aswan granite lintel spanning the doorway at the east-side entrance to the Staircase Tower, just west of Bab al-Futuh [18^th Dynasty, Thutmosis IV and Amenophis III]; (5) on three blocks inside the Staircase Tower, one on the 6^th landing of the staircase under the left window, and two on the second to last flight of the staircase [all apparently 18^th Dynasty]; (6) a block in the pavement on top of the Staircase Tower near the southeast corner [19^th Dynasty, Ramesses II]; and (7) a large block forming part of the second step below the west-side entrance to the Staircase Tower [age unknown].

Visited by: JAH in '96.

References: C52, 161-217; B-A89, 67-72; S-WS88, 226, 229, 274; W02, 141-142,183-185.

#333 Mausoleum of Sayyida Atika and Muhammad al-Gafari (c. 1122 AD) F-9

This building is kept closed and locked, and so is inaccessible. According to a local resident, there is no decorative stone inside. This is confirmed by Creswell (1952: 228-232).

Visited by: JAH & MB in '99.

References: S-WS88, 337; W02, 110.

#516 Mausoleum of Umm Kulthum (1122 AD) G-13

According to Creswell (1952: 239-241) there is no decorative stone inside except for 4 marble columns. Empty recesses indicate that 2 more columns originally flanked the mihrab.

Not visited.

Other references: S-WS88, 391; W02, 124-125.

#33 Mosque of al-Aqmar (1125 AD) H-3/H-4

Restoration: in the late 14^th and early 19^th centuries, and again by the Comité about 1901.

Entrance sill: uninscribed Aswan granodiorite.

The only other ancient stones are columns: 8 around the courtyard (2 on each side), 8 in the qibli liwan, and 2 flanking the mihrab. Except where otherwise noted, these have a variety of Corinthian capitals. The courtyard and liwan pavements are of hard/dense Mokattam nummulitic limestone.

Courtyard columns: 6 are Proconnesian marble but the two flanking the entrance are cipollino verde and breccia di Settebassi.

Qibli liwan columns: all are Proconnesian marble except for two bigio lumachellato.

Mihrab columns: octagonal Proconnesian marble with Islamic capitals. The wall is covered with a new dolomitic marble (possibly Thasian, M12).

Visited by: JAH in '96 & '99; MB & LL in '99.

References: C52, 241-146; B-A89, 72-74; MW92, 26-28; S-WS88, 235; W02, 176-178.

#301 Mausoleum of Ikhwat Yusuf (1125-50 AD) J-10

According to Creswell (1952: 234-236) there is no decorative stone inside. Empty recesses indicate that it originally had 2 marble columns flanking the mihrab.

Not visited.

Other references: W02, 118.

#273 Mashhad/Mausoleum of Sayyida Ruqayya (1133 AD) F-9

Restoration: in 1916 by the Comité.

This building is kept closed and locked, and so is inaccessible. However, from published descriptions it is apparent that there is no decorative stone inside except for several "marble" columns reportedly installed by the Comité.

Visited by: JAH & MB in '99.

References: C52, 247-253; B-A89, 74-75; MW92, 29-30; W02, 110-111.

#285 Mausoleum of Yahya al-Shabihi (1150 AD) G-13

There is no decorative stone inside except for 12 columns of light gray marble (probably Proconnesian) with a variety of Corinthian capitals (there are also 4 columns of Mokattam limestone).

Visited by: JAH in '96.

References: C52, 264-269; B-A89, 75-76; S-WS88, 390; W02, 125.

#315 Mausoleum of Muhammad al-Hasawati (1150 AD) G-12

According to Creswell (1952: 259-260) there is no decorative stone inside.

Not visited.

Other references: W02, 125-126.

#284 Mausoleum of Qasim al-Tayyib (c. 1150 AD) G-13

According to Creswell (1952: 269-270) there is no decorative stone inside.

Not visited.

Other references: S-WS88, 391.

#28 Mosque/Mashhad of Sayyidna al-Husayn (1154 AD) H-4

The only original part of the Fatimid structure is the Bab al-Akhdar entrance in the southeast corner. All the decorative stone inside dates from the mid- to late 1800's.

Visited by: JAH in '96.

References: C52, 271-273; MW92, 31-32; W93, 216-217.

#116 Mosque of Salih Tala'i (1160 AD) G-5/G-6

Restoration: originally in the 1400's, later by the Comité between 1915-1930, and finally in the late 1990's by the Egyptian Antiquities Project of the American Research Center in Egypt.

EXTERIOR WALLS

On the lower parts of these walls (below modern street level) the circular ends of numerous columns can be seen. As with the immediately adjacent Bab Zuwayla, these are laid horizontally within the walls to give them strength. Most if not all of them are of light gray marble, probably Proconnesian.

WEST SIDE ENTRANCE

The 4 columns are Proconnesian marble with identical Corinthian capitals. The door sill is either astracane dorato (d'Egitto?) or possibly a rare yellow variety of occhio di pavone rosso.

COURTYARD AND QIBLI LIWAN

There are 22 columns around the edge of the courtyard and another 12 inside the qibli liwan. These have a variety of Corinthian and Byzantine capitals, and are all Proconnesian marble. The only other decorative stone in the mosque are the 2 octagonal columns of cipollino rosso brecciato flanking the bare mihrab. These have Islamic capitals and bases. By one account, a "polychrome marble mosaic" existed within the mihrab in 1877.

Visited by: JAH in '96 & '99; MB & LL in '99.

References: C52, 275-288; B-A89, 76-77; MW92, 33-34; S-WS88, 216; W02, 193-194.

III. Ayyubid Period (1171-1250 AD)

#281 Mausoleum of Imam al-Shafi (1211 AD) G-12

Renovations: this building has been repeatedly renovated over the centuries and, by the look of it, very extensively within the last few decades. Creswell (1959: 68-70) reported seeing a "tall marble dado in good condition" in the early part of this century that reportedly dates to the reign of Sultan Qaytbay in the late 15^th century. However, it appears that many of the wall panels are recent replacements because they look freshly polished and include varieties of marble quarried only in modern times. The only obvious ancient stones are 4 panels of MP imperial porphyry high up on the outside wall of the entrance from the adjoining Ottoman-period mosque of the Imam al-Shafi. Inside the mausoleum all the walls are paneled in cipollino rosso brecciato, fior di pesco ?, broccato di Verona, verde Tenos (or perhaps verde alpi), yellow astracane dorato (d'Egitto?), and many varieties of light and dark gray marbles. All of these stones are available today. The only other original stone is a freestanding, richly engraved column of Proconnesian marble.

Visited by: JAH & MB in '99.

References: C52, 64-76; B-A89, 85-87; MW92, 35-36; S-WS88, 385; W02, 122-124.

#282 Mausoleum of Amir Abu Mansur Ismail (1216 AD) G-13

According to Creswell (1959: 77-80) there is no decorative stone inside.

Not visited.

Other references: S-WS88, 390.

#428 Madrasa of Sultan al-Kamil Ayyub [the "Kamiliya"] (1229 AD) H-4

Now in ruins and, according to Creswell (1959: 80-83), with no decorative stone inside.

Not visited.

Other references: S-WS88, 239; W02, 173.

#276 Mausoleum of the Abbasid Khalifs (1242 AD) F-10

According to Creswell (1959: 88-94) there is no decorative stone inside.

Not visited.

Other references: S-WS88, 341; W02, 113-114.

#38 Madrasa/Mausoleum of al-Salih Nagm al-Din Ayyub (1242-50 AD) H-4

Restoration: in 1992 by the German Institute of Archaeology in Cairo.

The madrasa is now in ruins with only portions of the walls still surviving. Creswell (1959:98-99) reports seeing 2 "marble" columns and places for at least 12 more.

MAUSOLEUM

Mihrab: is reportedly the earliest known example of a marble-paneled mihrab in Egypt, but much of it is now new stone. It has 2 flanking columns of WH conglomerate, now with Islamic capitals. The panels include cipollino rosso brecciato (2), bianco e nero antico (2), WUE serpentinite (4), black limestone/marble (2), and an unknown mottled red/pink/white marble. Only the first two stones are likely to be original. There is new black and white marble trim with a horizontal course of new WUE serpentinite. The latter includes 3 small pieces of original verde antico. Devonshire (1921: 28), writing prior to the renovation, describes the mihrab, excluding the flanking columns, as "denuded of its decoration".

Pavement: some original ? slabs of Proconnesian marble with mainly a variety of new light and dark gray marbles.

Entrance: sill is brown siliceous sandstone with a pharaonic relief.

Visited by: JAH in '96, '97 & '99; MB in '99.

References: C59, 94-103; B-A89, 87-91; MW92, 37-38; S-WS88, 249; W02, 162-163.

#169 Mausoleum of Shagar al-Durr (1250 AD) F-9

Restoration: in the early 1900's by the Comité.

This building is kept closed and locked, and so is inaccessible. According to a local resident, there is no decorative stone inside. This is confirmed by Creswell (1959: 138).

Visited by: JAH & MB in '99.

References: C59, 136-141; B-A89, 91-93; S-WS88, 336; W02, 109-110.