Qasr Dakhla

Qasr Dakhlais believed to be one of the oldest inhabited areas of the oasis and possibly the longest continuously inhabited site in Dakhla Oasis. It is famous because of its several houses from the Mamluk and Ottoman periods that were recently conserved. They still preserve the traditional wood decorations on the doors. One of the houses that have been restored is the Abu Nafir House, which is now open to the public. It is built in a style typical of the time and it incorporates a large number of blocks from a Ptolemaic temple. The house has a wonderful studded wooden door. Other prominent buildings include the Ayyubid Nasr el Din mosque with its 21 meter high minaret, typical of the types of minarets erected during this era of Islamic architecture. It has a ceiling of acacia, date and olive tree wood and the inscribed lintels over the entrances are also of wood. It encloses the mausoleum of Nasr al-Din. Next to the mosque is an old madrasa (school) that is still being used as a school and as a public meeting place. In Qasr Dakhla there is also a well-preserved old corn mill with two large grinding stones and a wooden axis. Ancient pottery kilns can also be seen (CISS Inventory 2010; Vivian 1990).

Site coordinates: N 25 41 695 E 28 52 924