Creating Medieval Cairo: Empire, Religion, and Architectural Preservation
Empire Religion: Creating Medieval Cairo examines how Egyptian and European actors shaped the historic city’s identity and architectural preservation in the nineteenth century. Paula Sanders connects Cairo’s Mamluk appearance and the work of the Comité to local religious life and intersecting Egyptian, Anglo-Egyptian, Anglo-Indian, and Ottoman imperial contexts.
At a glance
- Historian Paula Sanders examines how Cairo’s architectural heritage was shaped and canonized in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
- Discusses the city’s characteristically Mamluk appearance and the European-dominated Comité in relation to Cairo’s religious life.
- Frames heritage and preservation through local Egyptian, Anglo-Egyptian, Anglo-Indian, and Ottoman imperial contexts.
Reference price: $34.95
Price checked: Nov 14, 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- Connects architectural preservation to religion, local history, and overlapping imperial contexts rather than treating buildings in isolation.
- The Comité’s activities are situated within nineteenth-century religious life in Cairo, offering a focused historical angle.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | The American University in Cairo Press |
|---|---|
| Publication date | November 7, 2007 |
| Edition | Illustrated |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 232 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 9774160959 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-9774160950 |
| Weight listed | 1.36 pounds |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6 x 1 x 9.5 inches |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers studying Cairo’s architectural history, heritage preservation, or nineteenth-century Egypt.
- Students and researchers interested in colonial legacies and the intersection of religion and urban history.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a general travel guide, a practical preservation manual, or a broad survey of ancient Egyptian history.
Frequently asked questions
What is the book about?
It argues that the historic city known as Medieval Cairo took shape through nineteenth-century Egyptian and European actions, and traces the politics and religious context surrounding architectural preservation.
Does it discuss the Comité?
Yes. The book situates the European-dominated architectural preservation committee, known as the Comité, within the religious life of nineteenth-century Cairo.
Who is this book suited to?
Its focus makes it relevant to readers interested in Cairo’s urban and architectural history, heritage preservation, empire, and religion.
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