Egypt’s Minister of Culture announced the launch of the second phase of the Islamic Cairo restoration and development project, considered the largest of its kind in the history of architectural heritage preservation in Egypt. This phase targets the restoration and conservation of more than 180 additional archaeological sites, including mosques, mausoleums, schools, caravanserais, and public fountains, financed jointly by the Egyptian government, UNESCO, and a number of international heritage funds, with a total budget reaching 320 million Egyptian pounds.
The project team includes an elite group of international specialists in Islamic architectural restoration who have come from Italy, France, Morocco, and Turkey, alongside more than 200 specialised Egyptian craftsmen trained in precise restoration techniques that preserve the historical authenticity of materials and construction methods. The methodology employed carefully distinguishes between authentic restoration and modern additions, in accordance with international standards for the conservation of built heritage.
Among the most prominent sites undergoing restoration in this phase are the Ghouri Sultan School dating to the sixteenth century, the Sabil of Um Abbas with its unique marble facade, and the Baybarsiyya Khanqah with its intricate geometric carvings. The restoration works also include necessary structural interventions to address cracks caused by recurring earthquakes, subsurface moisture, and decades of maintenance neglect.
The Director-General of UNESCO, speaking following a field tour in the Islamic Cairo area, affirmed that this district represents one of the greatest treasures of Islamic architectural heritage in the world, praising the high scientific methodology guiding the restoration operations. She called upon the international community to multiply its support for this project, which serves all of humanity and not Egypt alone.
This restoration project yields developmental dimensions that transcend the boundaries of archaeological conservation; it revitalises local heritage crafts, creates sustainable employment opportunities, and enhances cultural tourism, one of the most significant economic resources anticipated. The Egyptian government hopes that the Islamic quarter of Cairo will become a premier global tourist destination capable of rivalling Europe’s famous historic districts once the project is complete.