Masjid Amir Qajmas al Ishaqi marked the end of the first phase of our adventure. Located few meters after the 45 degrees corner, the building is still in good condition. One could see and study the magnificent craftsmanship of the 15th Century that is well maintained. The Masjid that is sometimes referred to as the Masjid of Abu Hurayba dates from the 15th Century, having been built sometimes between 1479 and 1481 AD by Amir Sayf al-Din Qajmas. It was restored in 1894 and again in 1982.
Amir Qijmas al-Ishaqi occupied several important posts during the Circassian Mamluk rule of Sultan Qaytbay. Qajimas, who was described as a pious, benevolent and highly respected was "Master of the Horse", and was also put in charge of the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. He also served as governor of Alexandria, a Grand Marshal, and prior to his death, viceroy of Syria, where he died in 1487. He was buried in Damascus, leaving his tomb chamber entered through the qibla liwan and located on the corner of two streets empty. It became the final resting place of Abu Hurayba, a holy man, in 1852, which explains one of the alternate names for this Masjid.
The complex is very near to the popular Bab Zuwayla or the gate of Zuwayla. In fact, the minaret of this mosque presents a good view of Bab Zuwayla and the surrounding quarter. The Masjid sits on a triangular piece of land, though the mosque has a cruciform layout, at the intersection of two streets, and therefore it provides a very good example of the ingenious ways in which architects of the late Mamluk period adjusted the various elements of a building to the available building site. In erecting this structure, they made maximum use of both street facades, whose various erections are unified by the decorations. Interestingly, the dome is unusually plain for a mosque of this period.
Masjid Amir Qajmas al Ishaqi marked the end of the first phase of our adventure. Located few meters after the 45 degrees corner, the building is still in good condition. One could see and study the magnificent craftsmanship of the 15th Century that is well maintained. The Masjid that is sometimes referred to as the Masjid of Abu Hurayba dates from the 15th Century, having been built sometimes between 1479 and 1481 AD by Amir Sayf al-Din Qajmas. It was restored in 1894 and again in 1982.
Amir Qijmas al-Ishaqi occupied several important posts during the Circassian Mamluk rule of Sultan Qaytbay. Qajimas, who was described as a pious, benevolent and highly respected was "Master of the Horse", and was also put in charge of the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. He also served as governor of Alexandria, a Grand Marshal, and prior to his death, viceroy of Syria, where he died in 1487. He was buried in Damascus, leaving his tomb chamber entered through the qibla liwan and located on the corner of two streets empty. It became the final resting place of Abu Hurayba, a holy man, in 1852, which explains one of the alternate names for this Masjid.
The complex is very near to the popular Bab Zuwayla or the gate of Zuwayla. In fact, the minaret of this mosque presents a good view of Bab Zuwayla and the surrounding quarter. The Masjid sits on a triangular piece of land, though the mosque has a cruciform layout, at the intersection of two streets, and therefore it provides a very good example of the ingenious ways in which architects of the late Mamluk period adjusted the various elements of a building to the available building site. In erecting this structure, they made maximum use of both street facades, whose various erections are unified by the decorations. Interestingly, the dome is unusually plain for a mosque of this period.
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