Eng. Sherif El Sherbini - Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, continued his inspection tour of the renovation projects of the Islamic and Fatimid Cairo's neighborhoods, where he followed up on the progress of the restoration and rehabilitation of Zeinab Khatoun House. He was accompanied by Major Gen. Mahmoud Nassar - Head of the Central Agency for Reconstruction, Dr. Abdel Khalek Ibrahim - Assistant Minister for Technical Affairs, Major Gen. Medhat Abdel Rahman - Head of Islamic Cairo and Fatimid Neighborhoods Renewal Authority, officials from the Minister’s technical office, the project consultant, Eng. Mohamed Elwi - Executive Board Member of the Arab Contractors Company, Eng. Hany Maher – Manager of Palaces and Monuments Restoration Department implementing the works, Eng. Mahmoud Salem – Projects Manager, and Eng. Romani Nabil - Project Manager.
Eng. Sherif El Sherbini explained that the projects of restoring, rehabilitating and employing the house of Zeinab Khatoun, and restoring Cairo Wall in El Gamaleya, come within the framework of the ministry’s efforts aimed at restoring, renovating and re-employing Islamic and Fatimid archaeological structures, which are distinguished by their magnificent architectural and artistic characteristics, to preserve the archaeological heritage of these structures, and place them on the map of tourist attractions, in coordination with specialists from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Major Gen. Mahmoud Nassar pointed out that Zeinab Khatoun House is located in the heart of Old Cairo at the intersection of Atfet El Azhary and Al Anaba Alley behind Al Azhar Mosque, amidst a wonderful collection of Islamic monuments. The house dates back to the fourth century AH and the tenth century AD. Zeinab Khatoun House is one of the most prominent examples of Mamluk era houses. The house contains various architectural and decorative elements such as windows, mashrabiyas, wooden ceilings, decorated and gilded brackets, marble floors, etc. The house built upon an area of 600 m2 and consists of a ground floor, first floor, and second floor. The works include upgrading the house and re-employing the spaces of the ground floor to include a cafeteria, kitchen, service area, and two elevators. The first floor includes a multi-purpose hall, a conference hall, and a service area with bathrooms. The second floor includes a panoramic cafeteria, in addition to firefighting works and the construction of a ground tank 170 m3.