Al Suyuti Cemetery to Become an Open Air Museum in Historic Cairo

Al-Suyuti Cemetery, also known as the Mamluk Cemetery in Cairo, is set to be transformed into an open-air museum and cultural trail under a restoration project aimed at preserving its Islamic heritage while maintaining its funerary character.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reviewed progress on the project during a meeting on July 13th, describing it as part of the government's broader strategy to restore historic districts, enhance their cultural value and strengthen their appeal as heritage tourism destinations.

According to Awqaf Minister Osama Al-Azhari, the cemetery contains the tombs of prominent Muslim scholars representing different schools of Islamic jurisprudence, making it an important destination for visitors from across the Islamic world. Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber said the governorate will coordinate with relevant authorities to support the site's restoration.

Project consultant Engineer Mohamed Al-Khatib said the cemetery has evolved over more than 1,000 years and is regarded as the world's largest Islamic funerary complex. The proposed redevelopment will present the site as a "garden of collective memory," combining an open-air museum of Islamic art and architecture with heritage trails that tell the stories of the historical figures buried there while preserving the site's sanctity.

Planned additions include a visitor centre, open-air exhibition spaces, heritage interpretation trails, a reflection area, a specialised library, a traditional crafts centre, lecture halls and spaces for cultural events. The project also aims to improve connections between the cemetery and nearby landmarks including Fustat Park, the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-As, the mosques of Imam Al-Shafi'i, Sayyida Nafisa and Sayyida Aisha, as well as the Sultan Hassan Mosque and the Salah El-Din Citadel.