THE MOSQUES OF EGYPT \ 5.THE MAMLUK PERIOD, 648 - 923H. (1250- 1517 A.D.) .   34- THE MOSQUE OF AL- ASHRAF BARSBAY (AT KHANQA) 841H.(1437) . THIS, THE THIRD MOSQUE, founded by Sultan Barsbay, is at Khanqa, about 22 kilometres north of Cairo; it was completed in 841H. (1437). It is composed of an open sahn surrounded by four iwans, the largest forming the sanctuary, which consists of three arcades supported by marble columns. Each of the two side iwans has two rows of columns while the back one has only one. The sanctuary is covered by a decorated timber roof. The lower part of the walls have dadoes of coloured marble. There is a marble mihrab in the centre of the qibla wall, and next to it stands a wooden minbar, the panels of which are inlaid with ivory. The main faade, which overlooks the main road, comprises the beautiful stalactite portal, the lower part of which is lined with bands of white and black marble. Low down, to right and left of the doorway, is a band of inscription with the date of completion, 841H. To the right of the entrance is a sabil with a kuttab above, and to the left rises a minaret of three storeys, similar to that of the mosque which was built by the same founder at Sh. al- Mu'izz li- Din Illah. The mosque has three other faades. In the middle of the west faade stands a subsidiary entrance. This mosque once had separate latrines, considerable traces of which can still be observed. The Department for the Preservation of Arab Monuments saved this mosque at a time when it was in a serious condition. They restored it all, and carried out all the necessary repairs. Plate 117.
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