Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Sherif Fathy, Governor of Cairo, Dr. Ibrahim Saber, and the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Mr. Robert Silverman, inaugurated yesterday evening the newly restored Funerary Dome of Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay in the Northern Cemetery (Desert of the Mamluks).
The inauguration was attended by Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), and Ms. Agnieszka Dobrowolska, Director of ARCHINOS Architecture. The comprehensive conservation project was executed by ARCHINOS Architecture under the full supervision of the SCA, with funding from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).
Following the opening, the Minister and accompanying dignitaries toured the site to inspect the completed works. They listened to a detailed briefing from Ms. Dobrowolska, who explained that the restoration was carried out in two distinct phases. The first phase encompassed architectural documentation and specialized studies—including structural surveys, technical research, and the precise conservation of the brass dome and the reciter’s chair. The second phase focused on the comprehensive restoration and maintenance of the architectural and decorative elements using cutting-edge scientific methods and materials fully compatible with the monument’s historical nature.
The project also involved cleaning stone surfaces, treating humidity and salt efflorescence, structural consolidation and crack injection, and unveiling hidden Quranic inscriptions and motifs. Additionally, plaster windows were restored, missing stained-glass sections were re-integrated, wooden and marble elements were conserved, and the intricate gilded decorations of the Mihrab were meticulously restored and re-gilded to preserve the dome's original artistic integrity.
Minister Sherif Fathy expressed his satisfaction with the project's completion, highlighting it as a significant milestone in the long-standing collaboration between the Egyptian government—represented by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the SCA—and the United States, through its embassy in Cairo and the U.S. Government.
He noted that this decades-long partnership extends beyond heritage conservation to encompass the work of nearly 50 American archaeological missions across Egypt, capacity-building programs, and local community development surrounding historical sites. This aligns with the Ministry's current strategy to bolster economic security in the tourism and antiquities sectors, maximize the socio-economic benefits of cultural heritage, and empower local communities.
Furthermore, Minister Fathy highlighted the close bilateral cooperation in combating illicit trafficking of cultural property and repatriating illegally exported artifacts. He revealed that over the past year alone, Egypt successfully recovered approximately 60 smuggled antiquities in coordination with the U.S. government. Reflecting on his recent official visit to New York, the Minister commended the genuine commitment of U.S. authorities to this crucial issue, expressing pride in a joint effort that restores heritage to its rightful homeland as a legacy belonging to both Egypt and humanity.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister expressed his deep gratitude to all project partners, extending special thanks to the American side and the SCA's dedicated technical teams, conservators, and experts whose exceptional efficiency and craftsmanship continue to safeguard Egypt's cultural treasures.
For his part, Mr. Robert Silverman emphasized that cultural preservation efforts are not merely about documenting the past, but serving as a bridge to the future. He noted that U.S. support for heritage projects reflects a commitment to protecting shared history, empowering local communities, and building a more prosperous and secure future for both nations.
Through the AFCP, the United States dedicates resources to safeguard historic buildings, archaeological sites, museum collections, manuscripts, and traditional cultural expressions. In Egypt alone, the U.S. has invested over $3.5 million across 17 conservation projects, demonstrating a lasting commitment to protecting Egypt's rich legacy. Beyond preserving architectural and historical values, the restoration of Sultan Qaitbay's shrine has actively revitalized the surrounding district by attracting an increasing number of visitors.
Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the SCA, stated that the five-year restoration of Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay's funerary dome serves as a global model of international cooperation integrated with Egyptian expertise. He described the dome as one of the finest jewels of Mamluk architecture in Historic Cairo, executed according to the highest scientific conservation standards.
Dr. El-Leithy added that every restored monument is a living component of Egypt’s national identity and cultural future, stressing that preparing the dome to welcome scholars, tourists, and the local community enhances the cultural value of the Mamluk Desert area.
Dr. Diaa Zahran, Head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector at the SCA, elaborated on the exceptional historical and architectural significance of the site. It forms part of the larger architectural complex built by Sultan Qaitbay, which includes a mosque, a sabil-kuttab (water dispensary and primary school), and the burial yard for freed slaves, as well as the Al-Gulshani Dome (built for the Sultan's children prior to his accession).
Located adjacent to the Qibla Iwan, the dome features exquisite stone carved floral reliefs, multicolored marble floors, and an intricately gilded Mihrab. Its famed carved stone dome is encircled at the drum by an elevated Thuluth inscription band containing Quranic verses and concluding with its foundation date in 879 AH.
Dr. Zahran added that the dome houses the tombs of Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay and his son, Sultan Muhammad. It also holds a historic black basalt stone bearing what is traditionally believed to be the footprints of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)—a revered object of visitation throughout the centuries that adds a profound spiritual dimension to the site's architectural brilliance.
The inauguration comes as part of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' ongoing efforts to preserve Egyptian cultural heritage and maximize the potential of historic sites, reinforcing Historic Cairo's position as a premier global cultural destination.
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