Al Husseineya district
Egypt, History, 12/18/2000

This district is one of the most prestigious places that are deeply rooted in the Islamic history.

At the beginning, this district was a big alley named after a group of nobles descending from Hussein one of the Prophet Mohammed's two grandsons, they came from Hegaz and settled in this region and established leather tanneries. They were succeeded by their grandsons.

In the Mameluke era the district got to be eight alleys: Hamed, Al Manshia Al Kobra, Al Manshia Al Soghra inhabited by Armenian settlers. This district still enjoys its features since the Middle Ages.

Al Husseineya district has got two corridors; one extends from Bab Al Fotouh to Al Khandaq village (presently known as El Demerdash). This corridor was a residence for soldiers during the Fatimid era.

The other corridor extends from Bab Al Nasr having only a prayer niche. The rest of the area was an open space used as rest houses for the caravans of pilgrimage. Then, this space turned out to be cemeteries recently known as Bab Al Nasr cemeteries.

This district abounded in markets, houses and people. Sultan Al Zaher Baybars established several architectural buildings of which is his great mosque still bearing his name up till now: Al Zaher Baybars Mosque. These establishments granted this historical district more beauty and glamour.

Previous Stories:
  Bab Al-Azab   (12/14/2000)
  Refaie Mosque   (12/14/2000)
  Al Banat mosque, landmark of old Cairo   (12/11/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search