At the Eastern Cemetery of the Mamluks in Cairo stands the Dome of Sultan Qansuh Abu Said awaiting its visitors after the completion of its restoration.

The project was carried out by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in cooperation with the Ministry of Housing.

The structural and architectural renovation of the dome has been finalised, including the consolidation of the walls and foundations, cleaning and restoring the dome’s four facades, the transition area, and the dome's copper crescent, explained Hisham Samir, assistant to the minister of tourism and antiquities for archaeological projects and museums and supervisor of the Historic Cairo project.

The work was completed with the installation of windows, inlaid with stained glass, which gave the dome a distinctive look, illuminating its inner area and reflecting its original character with colours that made its architectural elements shine.

A new internal and external lighting system was installed. The mihrab and chandeliers were also refurbished.

The area surrounding the dome was paved, Samir said, adding that it is now decorated with plants that match the nature of the monuments. Signs and panels describing the site and the dome were installed, so were surveillance cameras.

Osama Talaat, head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Sector, stated that the dome was constructed in 904 AH, or 1498 AD, by the Circassian Mamluk Sultan Qansuh Abu Said to be his burial ground.

However, the dome became recently known as the Dome of El-Ghafeer because it was used as a residence for the guard of the area, or El-Ghafir, and the land around it was called Torab El-Ghafir, or the guard's cemetery.

A general view of the Dome of Sultan Qansuwah Abu Saeed after restoration.

the The Dome of Sultan Qansuwah Abu Saeed from inside after restoration.

The Dome of Sultan Qansuwah Abu Saeed after restoration.