Sabil-Kuttab of Abdel Rahman Katkhuda — Attraction in Cairo

Sapil Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda, which is surmounted by a place for the memorization of children, the Qur'an, known as the book, is located in a street intersection between Kasserine (Al Moez Street) and Timbuksha in the Al-Nahhasin area.

Prince Abd al-Rahman bin Hassan Gawish al-Qazdagli, "as a servant of Egypt, that is, the governor of Egypt." He was known as Abd al-Rahman, as a servant of the Mamluks during the era of Ali Bey al-Kabir, and he was appointed, after he was included in military positions until he became in charge of the army. In 1737 AD he was promoted to the rank of Gawish, then Bash Gawish, Ali Bek al-Kabir exiled him for thirteen years, then returned in 1776 AD, and he died shortly after, when he was seventy years old in 1776 CE and was buried in his mausoleum at the Al-Azhar Mosque.

Prince Abdel-Rahman Ktkhuda was one of the greatest sponsors of the architectural movement during the Ottoman era, and it was perhaps the most active in the history of Cairo as a whole, and many traces bearing his name and his works increased in building Al-Azhar, which is almost half of the roofed part on the qiblah side alone and its increase is higher than the land of the old mosque and has There is a mihrab, and he built the lighthouse of Al-Azhar, which is in the southeastern corner of Al-Azhar at the door of Upper Egypt, which is to the right of the interior, and to the left of the tomb of Abdul-Rahman as a line that the lighthouse overlooks. Also, it is suitable for many scenes, including the scene of Prince Othman, such as Takhadeh Al-Qazdogali.

This building is of special artistic importance, as it is an independent group that contains a path and writers in which many of the masterpieces of Islamic art are represented, especially in the Ottoman era. The building represents the style of the three-way avenues, and it takes the form in which the Mamluk and Ottoman styles blend together. The horizontal projection consists of a path topped by a book and below it a water tank that connects these levels with an inner staircase.

The Sabil room consists of a square area containing each of its southeastern, southwestern, and northwestern sides. Three entries are located by each entry held by a semi-circular knot. Each mesh entry contains a casting of copper casting and a rectangular marble basin window, while the northeastern side contains the entrance door to the Sabil room. From the darkness is adjacent to a wall-mounted cupboard above a window that overlooks the ladder leading to the book. The way walls are covered with impressive assemblies of Ottoman-style ceramic tiles and the most important characteristic of them is that they include a ceramic plate representing the noble Kaaba. And the ceiling of the sublimation room is woody with colorful motifs consisting of stellar dishes and their parts, and is based on the stuccoed and mediterranean cornice that is not extended.

As for the book, the path is raised above the path, and it is reached from the ladder in front of the darkness, and it consists of a square area for each of its southeastern and exotic southern and northwestern ribs. The book has a wooden ceiling with colorful decorations.

Behind the three stone pavements, there is a corridor with a wooden ceiling with the same previous decorations. This corridor has three facades, each of which is a wooden arcade consisting of five semicircular arches centered on wooden columns. Below these three wooden facades is a veil of sculpted wood surmounted by a row...

Beynel Kasreyn sebili olarak bilinen bu mimari eser, Kazdağlı Abdurrahman Kethüda tarafından 1744 yılında yaptırılmıştır. Abdurrahman Kethüda, köle kökenli olmayıp, meşhur memluk emirlerinden Yeniçeri Ocağı Ağası Kazdağlı Hasan Kethüda'nın oğludur. Bir memluk emirinin oğlu ve özgür olarak doğmuş olmasına rağmen, Mısır Eyaleti Yeniçeri Ocağında yetişmiştir. Abdurrahman Kethüda'nın mensubu bulunduğu Kazdağlı Ailesi Anadolu kökenlidir. Bu aile 17.yüzyıl sonuna doğru asayişi sağlamak amacıyla Mısır'a gönderilen yeniçeriler arasındaki Mustafa adli bir kapıkulu tarafından kurulmuştur. Ne var ki yaşanan dönemin toplumsal ve siyasi şartları, Kazdağlı Ailesini merkezi otoritenin denetimi dışına çıkartarak, diğer memluk kökenli ailelerle birlikte kimi zaman ittifak kurarak, kimi zaman da kıyasıya çatışarak sürdürülen bir iktidar mücadelesinin girdabına sürüklemiştir. Mücadelenin maddi kaynağı artık esnaf haline gelmiş bir zümre olan Yeniçerilerin büyük ölçüde girdikleri kahve ticaretine ve köylerden toplanan vergi gelirlerine dayanmaktadır. Bu muazzam gelirin ancak sembolik denebilecek miktarı yasal sahibine, yani İstanbul'a gönderilirken, Mısır'da el konulan asıl servet Kazdağlıların hazinesine girmektedir. Bunun anlamı, ailenin iktidarını perçinleyecek yeniçerilerden toplanmış daha fazla silahlı güç ve siyasi entrikalara harcanacak daha fazla para demektir. Abdurrahman Kethüda, 1736 yılında babasının azatlı kölesi ve Kazdağlılar Ailesinin de yöneticisi ve Yeniçeri Ocağı ağası olan Osman Kethüda'nın, yanlışlıkla bir suikasta kurban gitmesiyle birlikte kaderin cilvesi olarak tarih sahnesine çıkar. Hak sahibi bulunduğu aile mirasına ancak 1740 yılında kavuşabilir. Memluk Emiri İbrahim Kethüda'nın 1754 yılında ölümüyle birlikte ikinci adam olmaktan kurtulur ve Yeniçeri Ocağının ve ailenin başına geçer. Artık Mısır'ın en güçlü kişisi olmuştur. Abdurrahman Kethüda, diğer selefleri gibi siyasi hakimiyet peşinde koşmaz; sahip olduğu muazzam servetiyle kendisini hayır ve mimari eserler yapmaya adar. Sürgüne gönderildiği 1765 yılına kadar Kahire'de pek çok mimari eser ve restorasyon çalışmaları yürütür. El Ezher Camisinin genişletilmesinden, pek çok tarihi yapının restorasyonuna ve yeni özgün eserlerin yapılmasına ön ayak olur. İmar ve yapım faaliyetleri onun döneminde patlama yapar. Hedef haline geldiğini görünce 1760 yılında yerine aynı aileden memluk kökenli Bulutkapan Ali Beyi geçirir. Ancak seçerek yerine getirdiği ve bağımsızlık peşinde koşan memluk emiri Bulutkapan Ali Bey, velinimeti Abdurrahman Kethüda'yı 1765 yılında Hicaz'a sürgüne gönderir. Abdurrahman Kethüda, Osmanlı'ya başkaldıran ve sonuçta başarısız olan Ali Beyin bertaraf edilmesinden sonra, ancak 1776 yılında Kahire'ye dönebilir. Sürgün yıllarında oldukça yıpranmış, sağlığı bozulmuş ve ihtiyarlamıştır. Şehir halkının hatırlamasına bile fırsat vermeden dönüşünden sadece on bir gün sonra vefat eder. Rabbim rahmetiyle...

Sabil-Kuttab of Abdel Rahman Katkhuda is a remarkable example of 18th-century Ottoman architecture in Cairo. This historic complex combines a public fountain (sabil) with a traditional elementary school (kuttab), reflecting both civic and educational functions of the period.

The structure features beautifully carved stonework, elegant arches, and intricate decorative details that highlight the craftsmanship of its era. Visitors can appreciate the harmonious design, the inscriptions, and the ornamental features that make it a visually striking landmark.

The site offers a peaceful and educational experience, showcasing the social and cultural heritage of Cairo. It is particularly appealing to history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone interested in the city’s Ottoman-era urban...