Sabil-kuttab of Hasan Katkhuda Monument

Hours: Accessible from street; no official hours

Admission: Free (street monument)

Sabil-kuttab of Hasan Katkhuda is a historic combined fountain and Qur’anic school in Cairo Governorate, Egypt. It exemplifies the urban charitable structures that provided water and basic religious instruction to local communities.

Notable elements include the ground-floor fountain recess and an upper-level window or lattice that marks the kuttab; decorative stonework and inscription panels often frame the fountain opening. The compact scale means architectural detail is concentrated on the façade facing the street.

The name indicates a patronal association and the building was established as an endowed facility to supply water and elementary Qur’anic teaching to the neighborhood; such waqf foundations were a common form of urban philanthropy in Cairo.

Situated in Cairo (Cairo Governorate) at the given coordinates, it is encountered within the city’s dense street network and is visible from the public way.

• Type: Combines a sabil fountain at street level with a simple kuttab above, a common charitable building type in Cairo.
• Role: Often prominent on narrow streets because the fountain served passersby and the kuttab served local children.

Easily reached by taxi to the Al-Muizz axis or on foot from Khan al-Khalili; the Hasan Katkhuda sabil-kuttab is on the main heritage strip and well signposted.

• This is one of the better-known sabil-kuttabs; try to visit early in the day to avoid guide-group congestion.
• Look up: the kuttab's windows and balcony details are often the most intact elements of the composition.
• If interested in conservation history, compare the restored stonework to sections left unrestored to see restoration approaches.