0 KHANQXH OF AL-NASIR FARA6 IBN BARQUQ ( 801 - 813 A.H./1399-1411 A.D.)

       Sultan King al-Nasir Farag ibn Barqoq ibn Anas (Anas) al-6arcassy ordered the construction of this Khanqah in execution of his father's will to be buried next to the Saints (Awliya) in Hosh al-Sultan.

He built this Khanqah after the death of his father in the Mamluks desert cemetery, north of Cairo and adjacent to the Khanqah of Yunus al-Dawadar, also in an attempt to develop the area as a new extension outside Cairo walls in the desert land .

The Khanqah's location in the past was an equestrian areas and remained as such until it was deserted by Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad and all racing activities were suspended, however, after the year 780 A.H/1378 A.D.

Maqrizi caught up with several of its marble columns .

The Khanqah was built during a pointed of approx. 13 years as the project was suspended several times due to the severe economic conditions through which Egypt passed, from spread of epidemics and diseases to shortage of water due to the repeated decline in the Nile water level, in addition several military campaigns to al-Sham (Syria) because of struggles between the Sultan and his deputy there, The Khanqah is composed of a central open courtyard with an octagonal fountain in the middle (Photo 1/149) surrounded by four iwans (Plate 1/149) the largest of which is the qibta iwans .

It is composed of a rectangular area divided into three arcades containing three riwaqs parallel to the qibla wall, where each arcade consists of aix pylons carrying pointed arches.

            The riwaqs are covered by shallow vaults built on pendentives .

In the middle of the iwan's forefront is a plain stone mihrab in the shape of a semi-circular niche topped by a pointed hood supported on two circular marble columns preceded by an arched recess, supported in turn on two circular marble columns, and on top of the mihrab is a round grill defined by a protruding stone framer; its opposite area is covered by a dome mounted on three rows of stalactites ( Photo 2/149 ).

On the right is a stone minbar that dates back to the period of Sultan Qaytbay in its formation that resembles the Mamluk wooden minbars with its two balustrsades decorated with geometrical and floral onrnamentations (Photo 3/149).

On both sides of the mihrab are six recesses, three on each side, with the window in the center of each transformed into a plain stone mihrab of a semi-circular niche topped by a pointed arched hood preceded by a recess and supported on two octagonal marble columns .

Each of the four other recesses has a window in the forefront, opening onto the outside, and on top of the six recesses are elongated stucco lattice grills .

In each of the south-west and north-east sides of the iwan is a pointed arched recess that has a wooden screen on its facades, the first leading to the women tombs (dome) whilst the second to the men's tombs (dome).