Qalawun Complex Travel Guide: Top Sights in Egypt, Tours & Travel

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Qalawun Complex- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; Egypt; 5 Reviews

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Suggested Duration: 4 hours

The Qalawun Complex in Cairo, built between 1284 and 1285 by Sultan al-Mansur Qalawun, stands on al-Mu‘izz street at the former site of the Fatimid Western Palace. It brings together a madrasa, mausoleum, and hospital, each serving distinct civic and religious functions. The madrasa offered instruction in all four Sunni schools and medicine, while the hospital—constructed in just six months—provided free medical care, inspired by Qalawun's treatment in Damascus. The mausoleum contains the tombs of Qalawun and his son, al-Nasir Mohammed, and features a grand dome replaced in 1908. The complex combines Mamluk, Gothic, and Crusader architectural influences, with intricate interiors of marble, stucco, and gilded wood.

Operators offering tours in Egypt

Attractions in Cairo

Khan el-Khalili

Egyptian Museum

4.4

Al-Azhar Mosque

4.6

Citadel Saladin

4.8

Ibn Tulun Mosque

4.2

Coptic Museum

Al-Mu'izz Street

4.8

Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan

Reviews of Qalawun Complex

Sander van Vliet

4
Reviewed: 2024-01-21

Fine looking complex with beautiful details and open areas. Its worth to visit 30-60 minutes and you will most likely be guided by several guides that take you around. Not sure if they are officials or not. You most likely have to pay them some baksheesh in order for the unasked service they provide to you. You have no options, since they bring you to places which are normally not acceptable.
DD DD

5
Reviewed: 2023-11-13

Definitely worth visiting, beautiful architecture, immersive experience of kindness to animals past & present with drinking places for animals big & small, for passers by and the poor. Also amazing accommodation for students of all mathaheb, as well as asylum for mental health with water, greenery & open space
Khalid ElGammal

5
Reviewed: 2023-08-11

I once read that it is considered the 2nd most beautiful mausoleum/shrine in the world, second only to the Taj Mahal. And that is not an exaggeration! It lies in the heart of the Moez Street, the world’s biggest Islamic open-air museum. The architecture, decoration, ornaments, are all stunning! Coupled with the fact that this place has a long history, has been renovated many times, and has served many purposes (mosque, madrasa, mausoleum, hospital), it’s really one of the most iconic places in Cairo and all of Egypt.
David Maddison

5
Reviewed: 2023-01-06

This is another site that hasn’t quite made it into the tourist mainstream but it’s fantastic! A complex of about a dozen seperate locations that have been restored and renovated and were the former residence of ottoman nobility. Really beautiful and no crowds whatsoever
Adrian D

5
Reviewed: 2022-04-28

Amazing place with splendid architecture and a great view from the top. PLEASE NOTE: going up on the roof as well as climbing the tower are not offered officially and it is not suitable for small children: there are dangerous places where there are no rails to prevent one from falling.