Takiyyat Ibrahim al-Gulshani
Cairo, Egypt
The stunning sky-blue blue tilework is perhaps the first thing one notices about Takiyyat Ibrahim al-Gulshani, a grand Ottoman building complex in the heart of Cairo.
A Unique Complex in Cairo
Built to house the mausoleum of its namesake Sufi saint, al-Gulshani is unique in its blend of religious and secular functions. Residences for the saint's family and followers, retreat cells, a mosque, a communal kitchen, and a raised courtyard all sit together in a walled complex surrounded by bustling tea stalls, handicraft stores, and other businesses. But a combination of factors, from earthquakes to looting to political turmoil, have left their mark on al-Gulshani.
Our Work
A Need for Intervention
In 2018, the complex was successfully nominated to the Watch as part of a local effort to restore and renew the deteriorating buildings. The revitalization of al-Gulshani could have positive economic benefits that extend to the surrounding market district, which is even older than the complex itself. WMF also utilizes the conservation of the mausoleum, courtyard, and other structures as a hands-on classroom for university students, private sector conservators, and Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) staffers, allowing them to acquire experience and perspectives that may extend to other projects designed to safeguard historic Cairo.
Click on the image block to read more about our work at this site.
Takiyyat Ibrahim al-Gulshani
Our Supporters
World Monuments Fund's work at Takiyyat Ibrahim al-Gulshani has been made possible, in part, by support from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, U.S. Embassy Cairo, ILUCIDARE, The International Music and Art Foundation, and The Sidney J. Weinberg, Jr. Foundation.