Mausoleum of Imam al-Shafi'i

Built in 1211 CE by Ayyubid Sultan al-Kamil over the grave of Imam al-Shafi'i. The current wooden dome dates to Sultan Qaytbay's restoration in 1480. Recently restored and reopened to the public. Visit one of Cairo's most important medieval Islamic mausoleums, built over the grave of Imam al-Shafi'i and crowned by a celebrated wooden dome enriched by Ayyubid and later Mamluk craftsmanship. The site is located in Southern Cemetery / al-Qarafa al-Sughra, Imam al-Shafi'i, Cairo, and is treated here as a Mausoleum. Before travelling, confirm current opening times, admission rules and any same-day access restrictions. Older operating details are retained as historical reference only and are not treated as current unless separately verified. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities currently lists the Imam al-Shafi‘i monument complex as open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM with free admission. The mausoleum dome beside the mosque is one of Cairo’s most important Ayyubid funerary monuments. The present structure is associated with Sultan al-Kamil and later received major work under Sultan Qaytbay and subsequent patrons. Official restoration reporting confirms that the dome and surrounding site were conserved and reopened to visitors, and ministry reporting after the reopening recorded hundreds of Egyptian and foreign visitors in a single day. The monument is therefore both an active religious destination and a functioning heritage attraction. Visitors should still behave respectfully because the site remains closely connected with worship and pilgrimage, but current official information supports regular public access rather than treating the monument as uncertain or irregular.