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El Ghorya | Attractions in Cairo Egypt
The complex was a built as a unique, multi-use space. It included the mosque and the mausoleum, but also a sabil that provided free water to the people, administrative space, and a covered market among other things.

Built straddling AL-Muizz Street at the beginning of the 16th century by Sultan Qansuh Al-Ghuri, these buildings stand today as a reminder of a grander period in Cairo’s history when the city rivaled the great capitals of Europe for architectural grandeur. The Ottoman Empire would defeated the Egyptian Mamluk army in 1514, ending Al-Ghuri’s reign and beginning a period of decline in Cairo’s influence.
The Ghouriyya Complex is just south of Al-Azhar Street at the beginning the southern section of Al-Muizz Street that leads to Bab Zuweila. On the east side of the street is the mausoleum that Al-Ghuri built for himself. Tragically, his remains were lost in battle with the Ottomans and never buried there.
On the west side is a madrassa style mosque that boasts one of the highest minarets in Cairo. Its ceiling used to support the largest dome in the city, but it repeatedly collapsed and has been replaced by a simple flat wooden roof.
The complex was a built as a unique, multi-use space. It included the mosque and the mausoleum, but also a sabil that provided free water to the people, administrative space, and a covered market among other things. Some parts of the original building have been demolished, but the Wikila Al-Ghuri still stands further east beyond several modern buildings.
Now restored to offer a performance venue and housing and exhibit space for artists, this building was originally one of hundreds of covered markets in Cairo. Stalls on the first floor served as shops for travelling merchants while the upper levels provided housing and storage. Today you can see whirling dervishes perform their meditative dance here in the free Tannouri Show on Saturday and Wednesday.
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Plan Your TripِAncient Egyptian History
- The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt
- Alexander the Great | Egypt History
- Queen Hatshepsut | Luxor | Egypt
- Tutankhamoun King | Ancient Egypt Kingdom
- Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi
- King Ramses II: Facts, Accomplishments, Life and Death
- Sultan Mohammad Ali
- Amr Ibn Al-Aas
- The Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt
- The New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt
- Greco-Roman Period
- Early Islamic Period in Egypt
- Mamluk and Ottoman Period
- Egypt in the Modern Era
- Behind the Throne: Exploring the Life and Reign of Queen Cleopatra of Egypt
Cairo Attractions
- Al Aqmar Mosque | Cairo | Egypt
- Sultan Al Mansur Qalawun Mosque | Cairo
- Al Azhar Mosque | Cairo | Egypt
- Amr Ibn Al Aas Mosque | Old Cairo
- Mu’ayyad Mosque and Bab Zuweila
- Museum of Islamic Art | Cairo
- Sultan Hassan Mosque & Madrasa | Islamic Cairo
- Ibn Tulun Mosque and Gayer Anderson Museum
- Bayt Al Suhaymi in Cairo | Al Suhaymi House
- Cairo Opera House
- The Coptic Museum in Cairo
- The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
- El Ghorya | Attractions in Cairo Egypt
- Ben Ezra Synagogue | Coptic Cairo
- Khan El Khalili Bazaar
- Old Cairo and Coptic Cairo
- Salah El Din Citadel in Cairo | Egypt
- The Hanging Church | Coptic Cairo
- Al-Muizz Al-Deen Allah Street
- Downtown Cairo
- Zamalek / Gezira
- Islamic Cairo
- Souk Al Khayamiya | Tentmakers Bazaar
Alexandria Attractions
- Alexandria Travel Guide | Egypt
- Marsa Alam Information
- Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria | Fort Qaitbay Egypt
- Pompey's Pillar (Column) in Alexandria | Egypt
- Al Alamein | Mediterranean Sea Egypt
- Alexandria Library Egypt | Bibliotheca Alexandria
- Experience the Heart of the Mediterranean: Your Guide to the Best Things to Do in Alexandria, Egypt
- The Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqafa | Alexandria
- Greco-Roman Museum
- Lighthouse of Alexandria
- Montazah Park Alexandria | Egypt
Luxor Attractions
Aswan Attractions
Nile Valley
Red Sea and Sinai
Ports of Call
Lake Nasser
Egyptian Culture and Travel Info
Explore Cairo's museums, starting with the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and then head to the Egyptian Museum.
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