THE MOSQUES OF EGYPT \ 5.THE MAMLUK PERIOD, 648 - 923H. (1250- 1517 A.D.) .   44- THE MOSQUE OF QANI- BAY AMIR AKHUR 908H.(1503) . THIS MOSQUE stands on an outcrop of rock overlooking the Maydan Rumayla (Salah ad- Din Square) , on the left hand when ascending to the Citadel. It was founded by Qani- Bay ar- Rammah, one of Sultan Qayt- Bay's Amirs, and Amir Akhur (Master of the Horse) of his son an- Nasir Muhammad. The mosque was built according to the cruciform madrasa plan. It consists of an open sahn surrounded by four arched iwans. The way in which the iwans are roofed differs from that usual in Circassian Mamluk mosques. The roofs of the mosques of that period were constructed of wood ornamented with beautiful gilded decoration, whereas all the roofs of this mosque are built of stone, in the form of vaults of varying shapes. The qibla iwan, for example, is covered by a shallow dome of stone in courses of white and red alternately. A band of inscription runs all round it, at the springing, containing some Qur'anic verses and the name and titles of the founder. Its corners are embellished with ornament, carved in the stone, which still show traces of gilding, like the inscription referred to above. The western iwan is covered by a cross- vault of red and white courses of stone, alternately. The two small side iwans are both covered by stone vaults. The faades of the sahn are ornamented with decoration carved in the stone. The mausoleum, which is on the right- hand side of the qibla iwan, is covered by a stone dome supported upon four stalactite pendentives of many tiers. A band of inscription, containing Qur'anic verses and ending with the name and titles of the founder, and the date of completion (908H.) runs round the sides just below the pendentives. There is a dado of coloured marble, and a stone mihrab, similar to that of the mosque. The main faade of the mosque is composed of shallow recesses ending with stalactites. There are two windows in each, the lower having lintels of joggled voussoirs, whereas the upper ones are arched. The faade is crowned with foliated cresting. At the west end is the entrance, to the left of which is a minaret, square in plan and having two storeys ending with a double- headed top, similar to that of his other mosque in an- Nasriya district. Next to the minaret is an archway separating it from a sabil- kuttab both of which were built, together with the present minaret, in 1358H. (1939 A.D.) , according to the original design as shown in an old photograph of the original minaret before it was pulled down in A.D. 1870 owing to its dangerous state. The mausoleum is at the east end of this faade; it is built entirely of stone. The outer surface of the dome is ornamented with beautiful floral decoration resembling other domes built towards the end of the Mamluk period and the drum is surrounded by a band of inscription containing verses from the Qur'an and the name and titles of the founder. Plates 143- 144.
	Main Page Contact Us Links About Us Site Map