The Sharaf Al-Din Mosque in Cairo: A Case Study

The polychrome mosque of Sharaf Al-Din in the historic center of Cairo dates back to (717–738ah) (1317–1337ad). It consists of different layers of red brick and yellow limestone, characteristic of Mamluk architecture; the building is currently below the street level. The study concentrated on the mineralogical and physicochemical composition of these two construction materials, as well as identifying the Mokattam quarry as the source for the limestone. Furthermore, the presence of efflorescence in specific locations of the building was noted, and their composition was analyzed to identify the main soluble salts; these were found to be halite, gypsum and ettringite, the former two on limestone ashlars, and the latter on brick boundaries. Their formation and their possible different origins are discussed.