Publication Date
740 AH / 1339 AD.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Record ID
monument;ISL;eg;Mon01;13;ar
Library Location
Prince Bashtak Palace is located on Al-Muizz Lidin Allah Street, which is one of the most important main streets in Cairo. Historians mention that the site of this palace was part of the Great Eastern Palace in the Fatimid era, Cairo, Egypt
Date
740 AH / 1339 AD.
Notes
Prince Beshtak Palace retains some of its parts that indicate the elegance and beauty of the building. Among these parts are the western facade, which overlooks Al-Mu'izz Street, and the northern facade, which overlooks Darqar Qumz. The current entrance to the palace is located on the northern facade, and it consists of a trefoil arch. The original entrance to the palace is currently blocked. The palace also retains some parts of its first, second and third floors. The architect took advantage of the palace's location on Al-Mu'izz Street, and placed shops below it. On the second floor of the palace there is the main hall, which consists of a screen surrounded on its four sides by iwans. The darqaa is topped with a wooden ceiling decorated with beautiful geometric units, and three rows of wooden muqarnas hang from its four corners. There is also a fountain made of colored marble in the middle of the darqa, which cools the temperature in the hall. On the third floor of the palace, there is a group of rooms that represented the Harem Al-Malik, where women used to reside. These rooms overlook the main hall on the second floor through what is known as the songs, and they consist of a balcony with decorated pointed arches containing drinks made of lathe wood, interspersed with small windows. These songs reflect the luxurious life of the owners of this palace. The women of the palace used to sit behind the mashrabiyas to watch the singing sessions that were held in the darqaa on the lower floor, and were attended by men. It is noted that the materials used in the construction of this palace were taken into consideration to be compatible with the environment and the hot climate of Cairo. Stones were the main building material, as they provided thermal insulation. Marble was also used on the floors and in cladding the interior walls, and the hall was provided with a fountain in the middle of the darqaa. Mashrabiyas were also used, which provided privacy and helped to break the intensity of sunlight and soften the air entering the building.
Sample Text
Tarek Torky “Palace of Prince Bashtak” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;ISL;eg;Mon01;13;ar
