Bab al-WastaniCairo, Egypt
The Bab al-Wastani was built facing the mosque of Sultan Hasan by the amir Radwan Katkhuda al-Jalfi shortly before his death in 1754 on the site of a previous Mamluk gate, to provide access to the lower enclosure.
The interior facade features representations in relief of hybrid leonine creatures on the spandrels bracketing the arch. Otherwise, this facade was renovated in a neo-Gothic style during the Khedival period, at the time the exterior double ramp and balustrade in similar style was constructed.
Sources:
Behrens-Abouseif, Doris. "The 'Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda Style in 18th century Cairo." Annales Islamologiques 26 (1992): 117-126.
Jarrar, Sabri, András Riedlmayer, and Jeffrey B. Spurr. Resources for the Study of Islamic Architecture. Cambridge, MA: Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture, 1994.
Lyster, William. The Citadel of Cairo: A History and Guide. Cairo: The Palm Press, 1993.
Rabbat, Nasser O. The Citadel of Cairo. Geneva: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 1989.
The Bab al-Wastani was built facing the mosque of Sultan Hasan by the amir Radwan Katkhuda al-Jalfi shortly before his death in 1754 on the site of a previous Mamluk gate, to provide access to the lower enclosure.
The interior facade features representations in relief of hybrid leonine creatures on the spandrels bracketing the arch. Otherwise, this facade was renovated in a neo-Gothic style during the Khedival period, at the time the exterior double ramp and balustrade in similar style was constructed.
Sources:
Behrens-Abouseif, Doris. "The 'Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda Style in 18th century Cairo." Annales Islamologiques 26 (1992): 117-126.
Jarrar, Sabri, András Riedlmayer, and Jeffrey B. Spurr. Resources for the Study of Islamic Architecture. Cambridge, MA: Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture, 1994.
Lyster, William. The Citadel of Cairo: A History and Guide. Cairo: The Palm Press, 1993.
Rabbat, Nasser O. The Citadel of Cairo. Geneva: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 1989.