Sabil-Kuttab of Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda in old Cairo

The Sabil-Kuttab of Katkhuda is a historical building located in the Islamic district of Cairo, Egypt. 

It was built in the 18th century during the Ottoman era by the prominent Egyptian official, Ahmed Katkhuda. 

The building served as a public fountain (sabil) and a Quranic school (kuttab).

What are sabils and kuttabs
Sabils and kuttabs were almost everywhere in old Islamic Cairo during Mamluk and Ottoman times. Sabils are facilities providing free, fresh water for thirsty people who are passing by. Kuttabs are primitive kinds of elementary schools that teach children to read and write, and to teach young boys the Quran and Islamic principles.

Sabil-Kuttab of Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda

The Sabil-Kuttab of Katkhuda is considered one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in Cairo. The building features intricate carvings and ornate decorations, including a beautiful wooden mashrabiya screen. The interior of the building is adorned with colorful tiles and calligraphy.

wooden mashrabiya screen

About,

 Sabil-Kuttab of Katkhuda is an building from the old part of Islamic Cairo, Egypt, comprising a public fountain or sabil, an elementary Quran school or kuttab, and an adjacent residential wing. A prime example of Ottoman and Mamluk architecture, it was built in 1744 by a pioneer Egyptian architect, Katkhuda of Egypt (Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda). Some architects describe it as "The treasure of Ottoman architecture.

The building consists of two main parts. The southern part is two stories high and contains the sabil and the kuttab from which it derives its name.

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 The building was also used as a place of worship on Fridays.

The Sabil-Kuttab of Katkhuda has undergone several renovations over the years, including a major restoration project in the 1990s. Today, the building is open to the public as a museum, showcasing the history and culture of the Islamic era in Cairo.

Thank you

Edited by, Manal Raafat