Cairo Study Trip 2026

Introduction

CAIRO 2026

Welcome to the Art of Islamic Pattern Cairo Study Trip

Our base for the course will be held within the cultural centre; Bayt Yakan بيت يكن, 27 P5+J7, 3 Zoukak Al Hamdani. It is also short journey to Al Muizz st and the famous monuments. Al-Muizz (El Moez) Al-Deen Street, named for the first Fatimid Caliph in Egypt, was built as the main street through the Fatimid's grand city and is still the main route through the old city. It is a pedestrian street and lined with many attractions.

Course Base & Highlights

At a glance

Welcome to the Art of Islamic Pattern Cairo Study Trip

Map

About your organizer

Day 1 - Introduction and Bayt Yakan Tour

01-Apr-2026

Begin at Bayt Yakan and Explore Al Muizz

Welcome to the Art of Islamic Pattern Cairo Study Trip

Our base for the course will be held within the cultural centre; Bayt Yakan بيت يكن, 27 P5+J7, 3 Zoukak Al Hamdani. It is also short journey to Al Muizz st and the famous monuments. Al-Muizz (El Moez) Al-Deen Street, named for the first Fatimid Caliph in Egypt, was built as the main street through the Fatimid's grand city and is still the main route through the old city. It is a pedestrian street and lined with many attractions.

Meet at Bayt Yakan

9am Meet at: Bayt Yakan. Introduction to Bayt Yakan story by Ola.

Mamluk Historic Monument Tour - Al Muizz Street

10.00am Mamluk historic monument tour - Al Muizz st. 10 min walk to Bab Zuweila. Alaqmar Mosque, Baytel Suhaymi, Sultan Barquq, Madrasa and Khanqah, The Complex of Sultan al-Mansur Qalawun, Kuttab Aly El-Mutahhir, As-Saleh Nagm Ad-din Ayyub Mausolem.

Lunch at Bayt Yakan

1.30pm Lunch at Bayt Yakan.

Classroom Session - Practical Geometry

3pm – 6pm Afternoon session at Bayt Yakan. Classroom session with Richard Henry. Practical Geometry.

Day 2 - Group Workshops and Metal Engraving at Bayt Yakan

02-Apr-2026

Hands-On Workshops and Traditional Metal Engraving

Morning Session: Group Workshops at Bayt Yakan

10am – 1.00pm. Meet at Bayt Yakan courtyard. Group 1: Sultan Hasan rosette led by Adam Williamson in the upstairs classroom. Group 2: Traditional Metal Engraving Workshop with Noha El Qahwagy in the courtyard.

Noha El Qahwagy Facebook

Traditional Metal Engraving Workshop

Introduction to the art of hand brass engraving. Participants will learn the fundamentals of this traditional metalworking technique, practice basic engraving strokes and techniques on brass samples, and create their own small engraved brass project such as a coaster, pendant, or bookmarker.

Lunch at Bayt Yakan

Lunch at Bayt Yakan at 1pm.

Introduction to Bayt Yakan Architecture

Introduction to the architecture of Bayt Yakan by Alaa.

Afternoon Session: Group Switch Activities

2pm – 5.30pm. Afternoon session where groups switch activities between Sultan Hasan rosette and Traditional Metal Engraving Workshop.

Day 3 - Biomorphs and Islamic Art Museum Visit

03-Apr-2026

Biomorphs Workshop and Islamic Art Museum Visit

Morning Session: Biomorphs Practical Workshop

9am – 1.00pm. Classroom session with Richard Henry at Bayt Yakan. Practical session focused on biomorphs.

Lunch at Bayt Yakan

Lunch at Bayt Yakan at 1pm.

Afternoon Session: Islamic Art Museum Site Visit

2pm – Afternoon session. Meet at Bayt Yakan courtyard. Site visit to Islamic Art Museum (TBC).

Day 4 - Ibn Tulun Mosque, Gayer Anderson, Samarra Patterns

04-Apr-2026

Mosque Visits and Samarra Pattern Workshop

Meet at Bayt Yakan

Meet at Bayt Yakan.

Morning Session at Ibn Tulun Mosque

10am – 1.00pm. Morning session. Meet at Ibn Tulun Mosque. Walk to sites: Ibn Tulun Mosque & Gayer Anderson, Sultan Hasan (& Al Rifaii Mosque optional).

Lunch at Bayt Yakan

Lunch 1.30pm Bayt Yakan.

Afternoon Session: Samarra Patterns and Biomorphs

2pm – 5.30pm. Afternoon session at Bayt Yakan courtyard. Classroom session – Samarra patterns – Adam Williamson. Practical session – Biomorphs.

Day 5 - Mamluk Monument Tour 2 and Materials

05-Apr-2026

Mamluk Monuments, Al Muizz Street and Materials

Morning Session: Mamluk Historic Monument Tour 2

9am – 1.00pm. Mamluk historic monument tour 2 - Al Muizz st. Sites include Sultan El-Ashraf Barsbay, Bab Zuwayla, The Mosque of Sultan al-Muayyad, Sultan al-Ghuri's complex, the mausoleum and khanqah, and Al Azhar Mosque.

Lunch at Bay’t Yakan

Lunch 2pm Bay’t Yakan.

Afternoon Session: Classroom Session

3pm – 5.30pm. Afternoon session at Bayt Yakan. Classroom session with Richard Henry / Adam Williamson.

Material List

A compass, a ruler, cartridge paper plain sketchbook (ideally A3 size), optional mid tone paper, white pencil, range of pencils (3B-HB), tracing paper, zero eraser or equivalent, optional coloured pencils & fine line drawing pens.

A compass

Mid tone paper

Zero Eraser

Loading Map…

Map

1. Bayt Yakan

3 Zoukak Al Hamdani, Cairo, Egypt

2. Al-Muizz Street

Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatmi, El-Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

3. Bab Zuweila

Bab Zuweila, El Darb El Ahmar, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

4. Alaqmar Mosque

Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatmi, El-Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

5. Bayt al-Suhaymi

Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatmi, El-Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

6. Sultan Barquq Complex

Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatmi, El-Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

7. Sultan al-Mansur Qalawun Complex

Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatmi, El-Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

8. Ibn Tulun Mosque

Al-Saliba, El Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

9. Gayer Anderson Museum

4 Maydan Ibn Tulun, Sayyida Zeinab, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

10. Sultan Hasan Mosque

El-Saliba, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

11. Al Rifai Mosque

El-Saliba, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

12. Islamic Art Museum

Port Said, El-Darb El-Ahmar, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

13. Sultan El-Ashraf Barsbay Complex

Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatmi, El-Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

14. Mosque of Sultan al-Muayyad

Bab Zuweila, El Darb El Ahmar, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

15. Sultan al-Ghuri Complex

Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatmi, El-Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

16. Al Azhar Mosque

El-Darb El-Ahmar, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

About your organizer

Art of Pattern

4.8 6 reviews

Art of Pattern was founded by Adam Williamson and Richard Henry in 2008. Richard and Adam have given workshops, presentations and public lectures at many of the leading cultural and educational institutions in the UK and beyond, including:- NYU & Spotify, USA, The British Museum, The British Library, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe, The MIA Museum Doha, Ithra Museum SA, The King’s School of Traditional Arts, The Slade School of Fine Art, Central St Martins, The Royal Society, Asia House, Cambridge

Cairo Study Trip 2026

CAIRO 2026

Welcome to the Art of Islamic Pattern Cairo Study Trip

Course Base & Highlights

At a glance