After being partly submerged by ground water, the Tabataba Mausoleum was moved from its original location to a safer place near the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) in Fustat in Cairo, reports Nevine El-Aref.

Built during the 10th century as the burial place of the founder of the Ikhshidid Dynasty, Mohamed bin Tughj Al-Ikhshidi, the mausoleum is one of the few remains of a dynasty that ruled Egypt from 935 to 969 CE.

The mausoleum is of an irregular rectangular shape, as its entrance is located on the north-eastern side and annexed to a square-shaped mosque built in mudbrick covered with a dome. Its eastern side hosts the sanctuary.

It has suffered from a high level of ground water in the surrounding area, as it was originally situated on the banks of the Ain Al-Sira Lake near the NMEC.

To preserve the mausoleum, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has now moved it to a safer location neighbouring the NMEC. Restoration work was carried out, and the mausoleum is now safe and sound.

The move started in early 2021 with a budget of LE6 million from the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 7 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.