The historic Sultan Qaitbay Mosque in Cairo, Egypt — built between 1472 and 1474 by Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay during the Mamluk Sultanate — was photographed during its reopening following the completion of extensive restoration work. The complex, which also contains Sultan Qaitbay's tomb and is described in its foundation inscription as a madrasa, stands out as one of the finest masterpieces of Islamic architecture and Mamluk art, with its monumental portal decorated in the ablaq technique, its dome adorned with geometric star motifs, and intricate geometric stone carvings. Featured on Egypt's 1-pound banknote, the historic structure has reopened to visitors after maintenance and restoration work undertaken to reverse the effects of time and revive the cultural heritage of the Islamic world.
