City of the Dead (Cairo)
القرافة
An Islamic cemetery stretching for several kilometres east of the old city, where Mamluk sultans' tombs mingle with residents' homes. The Mausoleum-Mosque of Sultan Qaitbay is its architectural highlight.
The City of the Dead is a sprawling cemetery about 6 km long across eastern and southern Cairo, in use since the 7th century. It contains tombs, mosques and schools, and many families have lived in the tomb chambers for generations, forming a unique 'city of tombs'. The most notable site is the Mausoleum-Mosque of Sultan Qaitbay in the northern cemetery (1474). Its carved stone dome is regarded as the peak of Mamluk architecture, and its image appears on the Egyptian one-pound banknote. The area also has the Barsbay and Faraj ibn Barquq complexes. In recent years, some graveyards have been demolished for road construction, which has sparked controversy. It is best to visit by day with a local guide, dress modestly and respect residents' privacy.
Opening hours
Daytime; buildings approx. 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Al-Azhar Park
- Al-Azhar Mosque
- Khan el-Khalili
- Cave Church (Monastery of Saint Simon)
- Al-Muizz Street
- Wikala of al-Ghuri (Tanoura Dance)
- Bab Zuweila
- Citadel of Saladin