Madrasa of Umm al-Sultan Sha'ban

Monument Mamluk-era madrasa and historic Islamic educational complex

Within Cairo, the madrasa and mausoleum of Umm al‑Sultan Sha’ban dates to the Mamluk era; visitors examine its stone façade, dome and nearby lanes of historic Islamic Cairo.

Main image
Bayt al-Razzaz and Madrasa of Umm Shaban.jpg
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Detail of illuminated frontispiece from the Mamluk Quran (Egyptian National Library Masahif Rasid 8, f.1v detail).jpg
Double-page with illuminated chapter headings (National Library of Egypt Masahif Rasid 6).jpg
El-Darb El-Ahmar الدرب الأحمر (3022927159).jpg
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Frontispiece from the Mamluk Qur'an (National Library of Egypt Masahif Rasid 6, ff.1b-2a).jpg
Historisches Kairo 2016-03-28c.jpg
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Madrasa of Umm al-Sultan Sha'ban
30.0371, 31.2595

How to Get to Madrasa of Umm al-Sultan Sha'ban #

The madrasa sits within central Cairo’s historic district. From Tahrir Square take a short taxi ride (5-15 minutes depending on traffic) south toward the Citadel area or the Al-Ghouriya neighborhood. Walking routes through the medieval quarter are narrow; a local guide or driver familiar with the labyrinthine streets is useful.

Tips for Visiting Madrasa of Umm al-Sultan Sha'ban #

  • Enter the complex from the eastern side of the Citadel/Al-Ghouriya neighbourhood to avoid busy commercial streets.
  • Look for worn shoe-shine marks and soot darkening the lower stones - these tell the building's daily life more than any plaque.
  • Most visitors rush past the small courtyard; spend five minutes letting the light trace the carved stucco around the mihrab.

Best Time to Visit Madrasa of Umm al-Sultan Sha'ban #

Best visited in the cooler months for comfort while walking Cairo's historic districts; crowds are light compared with nearby major monuments.

Mild season (Oct-Apr)
October-April · 12-24°C (54-75°F)
Cooler, more comfortable for walking Cairo's dense streets; late afternoon light picks out stone carvings.
Hot season (May-Sep)
May-September · 25-40°C (77-104°F)
Hot, dusty days make interior shade appealing - but bring a hat for the short walk from the street.

Weather & Climate near Madrasa of Umm al-Sultan Sha'ban #

Climate

Madrasa of Umm al-Sultan Sha'ban's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 35°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
SeptemberJuneJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
45°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Almost no rain.

81 Excellent

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
20°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.3h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain.

81 Excellent

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain.

91 Ideal

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 24°
51%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
11.9h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain.

91 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
14° 29°
44%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.8h daylight

May

May is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
18° 32°
40%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
13.6h daylight

June

June is warm with highs of 35°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
20° 35°
40%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.9h daylight

July

July is the hottest month, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

28°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
22° 35°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.8h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

28°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
21° 35°
45%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

99 Ideal

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
20° 33°
50%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
11.3h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 25°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

3 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.5h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°
62%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.1h daylight

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