The houses of Cairo are simple on the outside and rich in decoration and architecture on the inside
Cairo's houses in the Ottoman and Mamluk eras were extremely splendid and beautiful. From the outside, they may appear simple, with their high facades almost devoid of any openings or decorations, except for the beautiful mashrabiyas that protrude from the facades and allow those inside the house to see those outside without being seen. They also allow light, air, and sun to enter the rooms of the house, and they are one of the most important architectural elements that Muslim architects resorted to to overcome high temperatures. They are often made of small pieces of wood in the manner of a lover and his beloved without using any nails. The mashrabiya had a place to put jugs to cool its water. It is said that the mashrabiya was given this name because it was the place to put water jugs in it. We find that the window openings and mashrabiyas on the facades of the houses are at a great height so as not to allow anyone passing by on the road to uncover the private parts of the house's residents, even if the person walking in the street was riding a camel
But once you enter through the small door, you find yourself in another world of beauty, creativity and architectural design that takes into account the teachings of the Islamic religion and the customs and traditions of society. The simple entrance does not open directly into the house so as not to reveal who is inside the house to passers-by. This is known as the broken entrance. The entrance leads to the courtyard, or the courtyard, or the courtyard of the house, which is the focus of life inside Cairene homes and also the center of architectural design. This courtyard is surrounded by all the architectural units of the house. In the middle of the courtyard, we find a fountain or fountain whose function is to moderate the temperature in the place. It is also a wonderful aesthetic form. On one side of the courtyard, there is a staircase leading to the seat, which is one of the most important parts of the house, where the head of the house receives his guests. In the Ottoman era, there was what was known as the takhtabush in the courtyard, which served as a seat. The seat overlooked the courtyard through an arcade of two or more arches. Then we reach the main hall of the house, which consisted of a central hall and two iwans. In the middle of the hall, there was a fountain. This is what was known in the Ottoman era as the selamlik, meaning the place and location of the men. After that, there are the living quarters and halls. The harem, which is known as the harem, meaning the place where women live. Many orientalists have drawn scenes of social life inside the homes and houses of Cairo, from being busy with housework, raising children, sitting with the husband and children, and gatherings and parties for singing and dancing, etc
Among the most beautiful houses in Cairo are the Al-Suhaymi House in Al-Darb Al-Asfar, the Zainab Khatun House in Al-Azhar, the Abd Al-Rahman Al-Harawi House, the Al-Senari House in Sayyida Zeinab, the Al-Sitt Wasila House, and other houses distinguished by their beautiful architecture that adhered to the teachings of the Islamic religion and the customs and traditions of Egyptian society at that time
Given the historical and architectural importance of the houses and homes of medieval Cairo, I decided to create a permanent section in the comprehensive encyclopedia that would address the most famous houses and homes of Islamic Cairo, their architecture and history, the events that took place there, and the personalities associated with them
References - History of Egypt - p. 115 - p. 1 33
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