Sabil of Mustafa Bey Tabtabay
Monument Endowed sabil built by Mustafa Bey in Cairo
Modest sabil with decorative elements; visitors include it on walks to examine civic endowments (waqf) and to photograph traditional facade details in Cairo’s historic neighborhoods.
The Sabil of Mustafa Bey Tabtabay is a small public drinking fountain in Cairo, Egypt, and part of the city’s historic collection of street sabils. It functioned as a charitable facility to provide potable water to passersby.
A single recessed dispensing niche and a modest façade mark the site; the structure is intended for roadside access and brief stops rather than extended visits. The scale is compact, designed to serve immediate street traffic rather than a large enclosed complex.
The fountain is associated with Mustafa Bey Tabtabay, whose name indicates patronage or endowment; sabils like this were typically established as waqf (charitable endowments) to supply drinking water. Over time many such sabils remained in street-facing positions while maintenance and preservation varied by site.
Located in the central area of Cairo within Cairo Governorate, the sabil sits in the city’s historic urban fabric and is accessible from central Cairo streets and neighbourhoods.
- Patron: Built or endowed by the person named in the fountain's title, reflecting private charitable patronage common in Cairo's historic sabil tradition.
How to Get to Sabil of Mustafa Bey Tabtabay #
Best reached on foot from the Al-Muizz street axis or by a short taxi ride to Bab al-Futuh; then follow local alleys to the sabil’s lane-side location.
Tips for Visiting Sabil of Mustafa Bey Tabtabay #
- Study the mortar joints around the basin - they often reveal repair eras and sometimes hold bits of pottery or old glass.
- Try to arrive when local vendors are setting up; the activity makes for lively context shots that include the sabil in use.
- If photographing, use a shallow depth of field to isolate the carved inscriptions from the clutter of modern add-ons.
Best Time to Visit Sabil of Mustafa Bey Tabtabay #
Cool seasons or early morning offer the best conditions for detail work and fewer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Sabil of Mustafa Bey Tabtabay #
Sabil of Mustafa Bey Tabtabay'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.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Almost no rain.
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February
February is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain.
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March
March is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Almost no rain.
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April
April is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain.
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May
May is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the hottest month, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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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.
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October
October is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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