Historic Wakalat al-Sultan Qaitbay to be converted into a heritage hotel

CAIRO – 25 October 2020: Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, represented by the General Administration of Historic Cairo, is implementing the first project to gentrify the Qaitbay Archaeological Complex, which dates back to the Mamluk era (885 AH / 1481 AD), to use it as a heritage hotel.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Communities, the project of restoring the building will come at a cost of approximately LE 100 million.

The Qaitbay Complex was built by Sultan Qaitbay, and was allocated to accommodate merchants and travelers, to conduct business deals, and to act as a warehouse in the year 885 AH / 1481AD. The complex is located in the Al-Gamaliyah area on Bab al-Nasr Street. 

Qaitbay Complex is one of the most beautiful examples of Islamic complexes that were distinguished by the Mamluk architecture; it consists of three floors and overlooks a huge inner courtyard.

The ground floor housed crops for trade, and the upper two floors were used as residences for merchants.

The proceeds of the complex were spent on purchasing dashisha (ground grain) and providing for the poor in the Two Holy Mosques, and in Medina, Hijaz. The decision to provide for the poor in Hijaz came after Sultan Qaitbay saw their conditions when he went for Hajj in 884 AH / 1479 CE. Hence, the complex was also known as the Dashisha Agency.

Sultan Al-Malik Al-Ashraf Abu Al-Nasr Qaitbay, one of the rulers of the state of the Circassian Mamelukes, was a lover of architecture and arts, so he showed great taste with the eternal landmark he left in Egypt and other Arab countries.

He assumed the throne in February 1468, and ruled Egypt between the years (872-901 AH / 1468-1497).