In the heart of Cairo’s historic neighborhoods, where timeworn stone façades whisper stories of ancient dynasties, a quiet architectural poetry resides above eye level—often unnoticed, but breathtaking in detail. The Patterns of Cairo project, a digital initiative led by Megawra – Built Environment Collective, is turning the city’s gaze upwards to rediscover these elusive treasures. In its latest chapter, the project spotlights “Alexandria in Cairo,” a profound exploration of Sakandary ceilings that trace their roots to Alexandria during the Fatimid era and have since adorned some of Cairo’s most revered monuments.
With support from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Egypt, Patterns of Cairo has dedicated itself to documenting and sharing the intricate, often-overlooked design elements embedded in Cairo’s architectural heritage. Its open-access platform now houses an archive of over 200 meticulously recorded patterns, serving as a wellspring for artists, architects, craftspersons, and cultural historians eager to reconnect with Egypt’s rich design traditions.
The Sakandary ceiling—named after Alexandria’s historical moniker—represents a uniquely Egyptian aesthetic. These ceilings are easily identified by their geometric structure: shallow, square coffers arranged in a checkerboard layout, intersected by long wooden beams. While their geometry is consistent, their surface treatments vary—some are carved with elaborate motifs, others painted in once-vibrant reds, indigos, and golds, now faded into a graceful patina. Still others shimmer with gilded ornamentation or feature chevrons and star-rosettes—motifs that speak to a time when even the smallest architectural details carried symbolic and spiritual meaning.
Among the notable sites featuring Sakandary ceilings are the gilded chambers of the Mosque of Abu al-‘Ila in Bulaq and the Mosque of al-Muayyad Shaykh, both resplendent in gold leaf. At the Qaytbay Complex in the Northern Cemetery, several examples reveal the full stylistic spectrum—chevrons, carved embellishments, and lustrous gilding—each ceiling a testament to the enduring craftsmanship of the era. Other remarkable specimens include the painted ceiling of al-Tikiyya al-Rifa‘iyya, the carved panels of the Madrasa of Uljay al-Yusuf, and a striking reconstructed ceiling in the Mosque of al-Amir Qawsun, which brings the Sakandary style back to vibrant life.
What makes these ceilings even more compelling is their resilience. Despite centuries of environmental wear, structural decay, and changing urban dynamics, these elements have survived—gracefully aging within mosques, mausoleums, madrasas, and Sufi lodges. They are more than architectural details; they are visual echoes of Cairo’s cosmopolitan identity, shaped by the movement of artisans, trade, and faith between cities and centuries.
With Alexandria in Cairo, Megawra offers more than preservation—it invites reinterpretation. By digitising these patterns and presenting them in high-resolution, Patterns of Cairo transforms a static history into a living design language. This project not only saves precious architectural features from oblivion but also ensures that traditional craftsmanship continues to inspire contemporary creative practices.
As Cairo continues to evolve, this initiative ensures its layered past remains a vivid part of the city’s future. In the interplay between wood and pigment, shadow and light, Patterns of Cairo teaches us that beauty often hides above, quietly waiting to be rediscovered.
Photography Credit: Megawra, Patterns of Cairo
