The twin minarets of Bab Zuweila

The twin minarets of Bab Zuweila

The twin minarets of Bab Zuweila, seen from the roof of the Mosque of Sultan al-Muayyad. The mosque takes its name from sultan Al-Mu’ayyad Sayf ad-Din Shaykh. The sultan built the mosque next to the old city gate on the spot of a former prison. Legend says that the sultan was once imprisoned there and suffered so badly that he promised to build a mosque on the site when he became sultan.

The minarets are not actually part of the mosque itself but part of the old city gate, called Bab Zuweila. The minarets were originally used for practical purposes like sighting enemies. When walking in the old Cairo market at this location there are still traces of the spots where executions and public humiliations were practiced. The mosque was then built on the site of the old prison, and though architecturally joined to the gate, it sits at a slight angle.

The steward who welcomed me in and showed me around was very kind. I wasn’t expecting to access the roof but enjoyed the view when we were there. He also gave me the freedom to wander and take pictures in most of the other areas. The shot, due to both the natural desert dust, as well as city pollution, has an odd but lovely sepia colour that I like.

http://archnet.org/sites/2299

http://archnet.org/sites/2299/media_contents/44588

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bab_Zuweila

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque_of_Sultan_al-Muayyad

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