Bring the hidden treasures of Islamic Cairo into your modern space.
Captured in a rare moment in 2013, this documentary photograph reveals the breathtaking interior courtyard of Sergutmish Mosque—a masterpiece of Mamluk architecture that was briefly opened after nearly ten years of closure. Located near the iconic Mosque of Ibn Tulun, this forgotten gem stands as a silent witness to Cairo’s layered history, where every arch, dome, and shadow carries centuries of artistry.

Photographed by Egyptian visual artist and photojournalist Heba El Kholy, the image reflects her dedication to authentic documentation and her sensitivity to the poetic relationship between light and shadow, space and mass. Here, the open sky framed by stone arches becomes a natural stage for the mosque’s geometry—turning architecture into pure rhythm. More than a photograph, this is a preserved memory of a place rarely seen, honoring Cairo’s hidden architectural wonders and the moments when history briefly opens its doors.