The Buildings of Egypt during the Ayyubids and Mamluks Period

It was common among the kings and rulers of Egypt that each of them wanted his name to be memorized in history through the establishment of a building.Even during Pharaonic times, the kings of Egypt constructed many temples and mortuary complexes. The examples of these establishments still receive a lot of admiration from tourists who travel all over the world to spend their vacations in Egypt.

The period of the Ayyubids,and afterwards the Mamluks, has witnessed the construction of complexes in Egypt.The sultans used to construct buildings that offer some educational services,like Al Kuttab that offers Quran and Islamic teachings,and social services,like Al Sabil that used to provide people with fresh water,linked to their mausoleums or mosques.Several tourists who travel to Egypt are interested in theIslamic culture and monuments.

There are many remarkable examples of such complexes that survived until today, including for example the Mosque and mausoleum of Sultan Hassan built in the 16 th century, the complex of Sultan Qalaun, dating back to the Mamluks period, and many other mausoleums and complexes. A large number of travel agencies organize trips to these monuments for tourists who spend their vacation in Egypt.

Apart from the mosques, any other Islamic building that was constructed in Egypt in this period used to be called a mausoleum; either for oneperson or a group of people. These mausoleums today became interesting to many tourists who visit Egypt who are excited about
Islamic architecture and history.

The only exception to this concept is the Complex of Qalaun which was constructed in 1284 in Al Muiz Street. The complex consists of a mausoleum, an Islamic teaching school, and a hospital as well. One of the most wonderful architectural elements of the mausoleum.Supported by four columns and four piers that form its distinguished form. After being restored for years, the Qalaun Complex welcomes hundreds of tourists who spend their holidays in Egypt.

The Mamluks used to constructed their mausoleums attached to a hospital, Khanqa,Sabil for fresh water,or a Kuttab for Islamic
teachings.The same style was sometimes followed by the Ayyubids.An example of that is the mausoleum of King Saleh Ayuob, constructed in 1250,was afterwards added to the Salehiya Madrassa or Islamic school.This was carried out by Shagret El Dorr, the first woman to rule Egypt in Islamic times.Both mausoleums grab the attention of many travelers who tour Egypt.

The Mamluks used to construct their mausoleums as the first section of the whole complex and give the mausoleum a prominent position in the complex. This was actually quite normal as the complex was built, as whole, to host the mausoleum as one of the major reasons behind their construction. These mausoleums today became landmarks in the historyof Islamic architecture that tourists who visit Egypt are usually keen to explore.

Another important element that the Mamluks used to put in their mausoleums was the prayer section.They loved the fact to have a place where people would pray to god after they die and have a good memory of them. All the mausoleums constructed during the Mamluk eraincluded a prayer hall.Tourists who travel to Egypt are allowed inside these prayer areas after getting off their shoes and after the ladies covering their hair.