Khan El Khalili Bazaar
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Overview of Khan El Khalili Bazaar
The Khan El Khalili market is one of a few locations on the planet where you may feel time turning around. One of the main tourist attractions in Cairo, the souk (market) is situated in the old city and is a major Mamluk architectural symbol that developed into a commercial hub. It is full of fresh spices, lovely fabrics and carpets, wonderful perfumes, gold vendors, precious stones, breathtaking antiques, even soap powder, and anything else that might come to mind within one of the oldest streets in Islamic history.
The market has its origins in the 14th century when Emir Dajaharks Al-Khalili constructed a sizable market complex on top of the Za’faraan Mausoleum, which had served as the Fatimid Caliphs’ final resting place since 970 AD. As part of a project to rebuild and restore life to the entire city of Cairo following the devastation of the Black Death over the 13th and 14th centuries, Sultan Barquq (1382–1399 AD) started construction. The bazaar is situated in the center of Cairo, where numerous enormous religious complexes were constructed under Sultan al-Ghuri (1501–1616) during the Mamluk period. There is also an elaborate gate, upper levels with windows with iron grills, and two enormous doors that are still standing today.
The Khan contains a lot of coffee shops that are the best examples of Mamluk and Ottoman architecture, featuring huge arches and vaulted ceilings. It also has a lot of eateries, including Al-Café, and Fishawi’s which opened near to the Al-Azhar Mosque in 1773 AD.
