Bayt Al-Suhaymi (House of Suhaymi) is a great example of Islamic architecture and homes for the wealthy in Cairo, Egypt. It was originally built by Abdel Wahab el Tablawy in 1648 in the neighborhood of Darb al-Asfar, near Al Moez Street. Afterward, it was bought by Sheikh Ahmed Al-Suhaymi in 1796. He proceeded to extend the House from its original structure by adding neighboring houses into the original building.

The Unique Structure and Architecture of Bayt Al-Suhaymi

The house is built around a sahn in the center, which includes a small garden with palm trees, and a lot of the original marble floor work, wooden furniture, and ceiling decor is still intact to this day.

Like most houses of the era, it is divided into the men’s (salamlik) and women’s (haramlik) quarters. Due to the humid climate during the summer in Egypt, most houses, like Bayt Al-Suhaymi, added shaded courtyards, as well as balconies and roofs that were used as the living areas during the hot day, while the family moved to the indoor living areas at night.

Unlike today’s houses with regular low ceilings and modern air conditioning appliances, Bayt Al-Suhaymi, had high ceilings which allowed the warmer air to rise while the cooler air circulated throughout the house. Also, the thick walls, cool marble floors, and fountains kept the hot air at bay.

There are several separate staircase entries to the house and about thirty chambers on various levels. The harem reception room has a great view of the garden and is lined with marble floors, and its walls are covered with green and blue plant patterned enamel tiles.

The three-storied mansion is built of stone, and visitors can enter the courtyard through a passageway from the street. In the bottom of the courtyard, there is a portico, in addition to a north-facing terrace called Maq’ad on the 2nd floor, both of which were used to receive guests or relax in the shade. The men’s quarters also included a large benched area overlooking the courtyard, where the head of the family would conduct business transactions or meet important guests.

On the second floor is the haramlik (women’s quarters), comprising a reception hall, private rooms, and a bath, and it can be reached by a separate flight of stairs in the courtyard, maintaining their privacy.

The wooden latticework (Mashrabiyya) on all windows also prevents intense sunlight and dust blown by the wind and only allows the cool breeze in during Cairo’s hot summers, and it is also a barrier through which women can look out onto the street without being seen from the outside by the passersby.

On the second floor, you can also find the Hammam (bathroom) which is decorated with small colored glasses integrated into the ceiling dome and arranged like a constellation.

The domed structure in the garden was originally a mausoleum, which was moved from its original location near the Bab al-Khalq after 1952. It is known as the Qubba of Jamal al-Din and dates from the 16th-17th century and its dome is pierced with a geometrical pattern and filled with colored glass displaying smaller patterns.

Modern Day

Today, the house has been transformed into a museum which foreign visitors can tour for 35 EGP (15 for students).

This house is considered one of the most beautiful monuments of historical Cairo, which led to the decision to transform Al-Suhaymi House into a center for artistic creativity affiliated with the Cultural Development Fund after its restoration and reopening in 2000, to be employed as a cultural and artistic center in the neighborhood of Al-Gamaleya. The Al-Suhaymi Center for Creativity is considered a unique model for the social impact of cultural and archaeological work on the surrounding community, and that is through the cultural and artistic activities it provides, which have become part of the daily life of the neighborhood’s residents.

Al-Suhaymi House hosts the largest Egyptian folklore music groups, as well as marionette shows and shadow art performances to preserve these arts from extinction. This is in addition to the various artistic performances that are held throughout the month.

As an open museum of Islamic architecture, Al-Suhaymi House opens its doors to art exhibitions through the exhibition halls that the house contains, which are commensurate with the nature of the place.

All in all, it is an experience not to be missed.

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