Egypt restores 14th-century mosque in Cairo - The Jerusalem Post

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-804237

Egypt unveils renovation of 14th-century Maridani mosque

Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities marked the completion of multi-year renovations to the 14th-century Altunbugha al-Maridani mosque, funded by the EU and the Aga Khan Foundation.

By REUTERS

MAY 29, 2024 18:34

Updated: MAY 29, 2024 18:40

View of the Mosque of Amir al-Maridani, dating from 1340 CE from the era of the Mamluk Sultanate of Cairo, as Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is to inaugurate the second phase of the restoration project on it, in Darb al-Ahmar, in Cairo, Egypt, May 29, 2024.

(photo credit: MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY/REUTERS)

Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities held a ceremony on Tuesday to mark the completion of multi-year renovations to the grand 14th-century mosque of Altunbugha al-Maridani in Historic Cairo.

Al-Maridani, chief of police and married to a daughter of the powerful Mamluk sultan al-Nasir Mohamed, built the mosque in 1338-40 AD on al-Darb al-Ahmar street, a thoroughfare connecting Cairo's Citadel to the walled city's southern gate.

A view of the Mosque of Amir al-Maridani, dating from 1340 CE from the era of the Mamluk Sultanate of Cairo, as Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is to inaugurate the second phase of the restoration project on it, in Darb al-Ahmar, in Cairo, Egypt, May 29, 2024. (credit: MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY/REUTERS)

The mosque's main entrance is decorated with ornate inscriptions and fine marble. Its columns were salvaged from older buildings during construction.

Historic mosque restoration completed

The mosque's exterior and minaret were renovated in the first phase, which began in 2018 and was completed in 2021. The second phase, which lasted 18 months, focused on the interior. The European Union and the Aga Khan Foundation helped fund the project.

The mosque had been heavily renovated between 1895 and 1903.

A view of the interior of the Mosque of Amir al-Maridani, dating from 1340 CE from the era of the Mamluk Sultanate of Cairo, as Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is to inaugurate the second phase of the restoration project on it, in Darb al-Ahmar, in Cairo, Egypt, May 29, 2024. (credit: MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY/REUTERS)

Egyptian, EU, and foundation officials, including the foundation's director and the deputy governor of Cairo, attended Tuesday's event.

It was the first such event since Mohamed Ismail Khaled, the new director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, was appointed in March.

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