Ashraf Barsbay Mosque

On the corner of Nahasiyeen (Nahhasin) and muski streets stands the Ashraf Barsbay complex. The resort overlooks the spice souk nearby where piled mounds of herbs, roots and spices still attract buyers. Local residents spice souk more commonly referred to the monument as "al-Ashrafîya.A Mamluk slave "of Caucasian descent king Barsbay ruled Egypt for 16 years, bringing stability to a state where a leader rarely lasted five years before being overthrown. Turning the trade of certain spices in a state monopoly Barsbay Sultan was able to use the profits to finance a large part of its construction as well as military campaigns abroad. Barsbay maintained a strong navy and conquered the island of Cyprus in 1426, forcing Lusignan, where the descendants of Crusader kings of Jerusalem were to honor him.The mosque, built in 1425, with its aliasing fleur-de-lis and sculpted stone pepperpot dome is typical of Mamluk architecture later. It actually consists of the mosque / madrasa with Sabil-Kuttab and adjoining mausoleum.This institute was dedicated to Sufi who wanted to study the four rites of Islamic law as a structure of traditional madrasa.It is built on a very classically cross plan (cross) with four Liwans around a central courtyard. Control the thickness of the stone the windows of the East, it is clear that the inner and outer walls of the mosque are not parallel. By the 15th century, some great sites were left in the city and new buildings had to be installed in irregular patches of land. But the Mamluk rulers of the order of thirst, went to great lengths to achieve a semblance of regularity.The Golden Roof (now sadly decayed) of the western porch still gives an idea of ​​refinement of decorative art at the time.In the main inscription around the vaulted Liwans is interesting because it is a rare example of (staffing) waqf deed carved in stone as a perpetual reminder of his supervisors how funds earmarked for maintenance and The resort staff were meant to be spent.There are several architectural features that are worth mentioning. These include the ceiling in the northwest Iwan, which was partially restored a few years ago and has a rich tapestry of gold and blue, with wood, inlaid minbar.It has been suggested that there is no mihrab in the mausoleum of the madrasa, as accommodating it would leave no room for a window on al-Mu'izz Street, which would have deprived the grave of his critical eye contact with the street. The mihrab, a very decorative feature that highlights the religious character of the mausoleum, is replaced here by the blessings of passersby.The Sabil-Kuttab is next to the entrance gate at the south end of the facade of the building. In the long corridor that connects the main entrance of the court, on the left is an alcove facing a latticework screen that hides the tank where the water for the Sabil-Kuttab was stored.The mosque on the side of the street is the mausoleum of the wife and son of Barsbay (Barsbay himself is buried in the City of the Dead.). In front of the mausoleum is a piece created especially for readers of the Koran.