The Supreme Council of Antiquities held a grand ceremony to celebrate the completion of extensive renovations to the historic 14th-century Altunbugha al-Maridani Mosque in Historic Cairo.
The mosque, originally constructed between 1338 and 1340 A.D. by Al-Maridani, the chief of police and son-in-law to the powerful Mamluk Sultan al-Nasir Mohamed, stands on the iconic al-Darb al-Ahmar street. This historic thoroughfare connects Cairo’s Citadel to the southern gate of the walled city.
The restoration project, which began in 2018, was split into two phases. The first phase, which focused on renovating the mosque’s exterior and minaret, was completed in 2021. The second phase, which took 18 months, concentrated on the mosque’s interior and was completed recently. This ambitious restoration was made possible through the financial support of the European Union and the Aga Khan Foundation.
The mosque is notable for its main entrance, adorned with ornate inscriptions and fine marble, and its columns, which were salvaged from older buildings during its original construction. The mosque had previously undergone significant renovations between 1895 and 1903.
Wednesday’s event saw attendance from numerous dignitaries, including officials from Egypt, the European Union, and the Aga Khan Foundation. Among the notable attendees were the director of the Aga Khan Foundation and the deputy governor of Cairo.
This ceremony was the first major event since the appointment of Mohamed Ismail Khaled as the new director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in March, marking a significant milestone in the preservation of Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.
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