0 MOSQUE OF AL-ZAHIR BAYBARS (667 A.H./1269 A.D.)

LIST NO,(1)

                    This mosque was founded by sultan AL – Zahir Rukn al – Din Abu al – Fatu Baybars al – salihi al – Nagmi al – Bunduqdarri in 667 A.H./1269 A.D.

It may have been an experession of the Sultan's wish to establish a memorial building reflecting his great victories and military achievements against the Mongols and crusaders; 

In addition to the need  for a greater mosque to meet the growing demand  by a growing population .

Al – Maqrizi said that sultan baybars came down personally to the square on Thursday 8 Rabi'll 665 A.H.  ,    and the design concept was introduced during this attendance" demanding that the gate recalls that of his madrasa in Bain al – Qasrayn , and a dome to be built over the mihrab as large as the dome of Imam al – Shafi'i .

The general plan adhered to the design of riwaqs surrounding the great sahn (Plate 1/1) and is made up of a square with the dimensions of 111 x 108m. , with a surface area 12,000m2 , including four covered areas , the largest of which is the qibla covered area surrounding a large open sahn which is a rectangle with dimensions of 60 x70m and the ratio of its surface area to the area of the mosque is 1: 3 , with an ablutary but the lavatory was most probably outside the mosque .

The qibla covered area is composed of a rectangular area divided by six arcades , each is made up of six riwaqs parallel to the mihrab wall , and are divided by an intersecting aisle perpendicular to the mihrab and is made up of two arcades each is formed with six pointed arches . The mihrab is at the center of the front ri-waq of the qibia covered area, and is in the form of a semi-circular niche topped by a pointed, archec  hood.  The mihrab is directed a little to the right of the qibla as its oblique angle is 141 degrees in-stead of 135 which is common in cairo .

The square area preceding the mihrab is covered by a wooden dome; historical references indicate that it resembled the dome of Imam al-Shafi'i.