General view of Aslam al Silahdar (2007-09) by Matjaz KacicnikAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
Aslam al Silahdar
Built in 1344, the mosque of Aslam al-Silahdar is a prominent monument in Cairo's sprawling historical center.
General view of the Aslam al-Silahdar mosque from Al Azhar Park, south east view (2007-11) by Matjaz KacicnikAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
City of a Thousand Minarets
The mosque is nestled in Cairo's dense al-Darb al-Ahmar neighborhood, located in an area of Historic Cairo just southeast of popular tourist hubs like the Khan al-Khalili bazaar.
The neighborhood is dotted with monuments and landmarks that date as far back as the 10th century, but the mosque of Aslam al-Silahdar stands out among them as a stunning remnant of Cairo's Mamluk history.
The dome of Aslam al Silahdar with the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in the background (2007-11) by Matjaz KacicnikAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
Egypt Under the Mamluks
From 1250-1517AD, under the Mamluk Sultanate, the city of Cairo was considered the artistic capital of the expansive Islamic world. The prosperity of the city and the powerful figures that resided there attracted artisans and craftsmen from across the region and beyond.
Bayt al-Razzaz, a mamluk residential complex in historic Cairo (2007-05) by Jaroslaw DobrowolskiAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
Artistic Revival
The reign of Sultan Nasir Mohammed (1293-1341) is seen by many as the pinnacle of not only Mamluk power and influence, but also artistic production in medieval Egypt.
Restored marble panel of Aslam al Silahdar (2008-11) by Matjaz KacicnikAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The Sultan commissioned numerous public works projects, including the renovation of more than thirty mosques – each an impressive example of classical Islamic architecture.
Zawiya and Sabil of Faraj ibn Barquq (2006-07) by Matjaz KacicnikAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
Just as the Sultan was a famous patron of the arts, so too were the noblemen in his court.
During this time, it was common for powerful political figures to commission large public buildings like mosques and drinking fountains to show their status within the court.
The calligraphy around the dome of Aslam al Silahdar after restoration (2007-11) by Matjaz KacicnikAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The Sword Bearer
To prove his own power and status, Baha al-Din Aslam, a prince in the Sultan's court, commissioned the complex of Aslam al-Silahdar. It was one of the grandest projects built at the time.
Baha al-Din Aslam was awarded the title "Silahdar" or sword-bearer, hence the name Aslam al-Silahdar.
View of Aslam al Silahdar before restoration by Matjaz KacicnikAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The impressive complex originally included cavalry barracks and stables, a public drinking fountain (sabil), a tenement building (rab’), and a palace. Today, only the mosque remains standing.
The restored facade inside Aslam al Silahdar (2008-10) by Matjaz KacicnikAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The intricate stucco decoration and rich materials show that Aslam was likely a connoisseur of art and architecture, and very prominent in his Sultan’s court.
Mosque interior, general view of floor by Matjaz KacicnikAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The mosque remains a landmark for tourists and the local community, where the faithful continue to gather and pray as they have for centuries.
Discover More:
The conservation and documentation of the Aslam al-Silahdar mosque was implemented by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and was co-funded by AKTC and the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) under the Egyptian Antiquities Project (EAP) made possible through funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Click here to learn more about ARCE's conservation work.
Created by Andreas Kostopoulos, Tessa Litecky, and Beth Wang, ARCE
Visit ARCE at www.arce.org
