Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Sabil Katkhuda.. Hidden Gem of Ottoman Architecture


Mon 19 Aug 2019 | 02:44 PM
Ahmed Yasser

Sabil Abd El Rahman Katkhuda, one of the most important monuments in old Islamic Cairo, is located on El-Muizz Street. This building is an example of Ottoman, Mamluk and lslamic architecture.

It was built in 1744 by a pioneer Egyptian architect, ”Katkhuda” who was one of the most intelligent architects of his time. Some architects describe it as the ”treasure of Ottoman architecture”.

Sabil Abd El Rahman Katkhuda

Sabil Katkhuda is an important monument in Cairo. The architect ”Katkhuda”, produced it with every small detail.

It was named for its patron, El- Mamluk amir and leader of the Egyptian Janissaries. The two story square structure consists of the fountain within block of first level, and it is surmounted by space for the school in the form of a two-tiered arcaded pavilion.

The building includes two main parts. The southern part is made up of two stories high and contains El- sabil and ”kuttab” from which it derives its name. The northern part is not registered and is being used now as living apartments.

It is open on three sides and consists of grey and white stones inlaid with marble reliefs as well as tiles with embedded pillars at its corners.

 school in the form of a two-tiered arcaded pavilion

El- sabil alternating colors and polychrome marble revetment is characteristic of Abd al Rahman Katkhuda’s extensive architectural patronage in Cairo, which blended Mamluk and Ottoman architecture .

grey and white stones inlaid