The Dehliz El-Malik Street is closely linked to the history of Rosetta during the Mamluk and Ottoman eras, a period that witnessed the city's prosperity due to its location on a branch of the Nile and its connection to trade and maritime activity. Dehliz El-Malik Street is one of the most important historical and archaeological streets in the heart of old Rosetta. Walking along Dehliz El-Malik Street evokes the feeling of strolling through a street from the Ottoman era, with its historical houses and mosques dating back to that period. The street's significance stems from the fact that it witnessed.
The French and English Campaigns, and the English Defeat in the Famous Battle
The Dahleez El-Malik Street was inhabited by the elite and rulers during the Mamluk and Ottoman eras. Seven historical houses still stand there:
1. Kuhiya House
2. Basyouni House
3. Ramadan House
4. Maharem House
5. Abuhum House
6. El-Gamal House
7. Alwan House
The street is also connected to the Al-Arabi Mosque and other religious buildings within its boundaries. Dahleez El-Malik Street in Rashid is considered an open-air museum, stretching for approximately 450 meters and varying in width from 6 to 10 meters. It represents the main entrance to the city's archaeological area.
The Location and Name
The street is currently known as Port Said Street, while historically it was known as Dahleez El-Malik.
The sources mention that it was referred to in one of the endowments documents as "The Great Street," reflecting its importance within the city's urban fabric.
The name "Dahleez El-Malik" is linked to the nature of its inhabitants, who included rulers, princes, prominent merchants, and the elite. The people
In some areas, there are remnants of the same ancient Chaldean stone, black in color, on the ground of which the locals fought the English.
The Archaeological Sites Located on Dehliz El-Malik Street
Ramadan House
12th Century AH / 18th Century AD - Hajj Ismail Ramadan
Ramadan House is registered as an Islamic and Coptic monument in Egypt. Sources indicate its registration was by Ministerial Decree No. 10357 of 1956.
The Location
The house is located on Dehliz El-Malik Street, now known as Port Said Street, and occupies a prominent location at the intersection of the main street and a small side street.
The Historical Significance
It was the residence of the Ottoman governor of the city, "Othman Khaja."
It witnessed the dramatic ends of some political and military leaders during the conflicts between the French occupation and the popular resistance.
1- The Assassination of the Governor of Rosetta (Othman Khaja)
Othman Khaja was one of the Mamluk officials who assumed the governorship of Rosetta in the late 18th century. His residence was the Ramadan House.
His image in local and historical sources is associated with the practice of harshness and injustice towards some of the inhabitants of Rosetta.
He left Rosetta after the French entered in 1798, then returned to Egypt with the Ottoman forces led by Mustafa Pasha in 1799.
He participated in the military events related to Abu Qir against the French, then fell into their hands and was arrested.
Napoleon ordered him to be sent to Rosetta, where a fatwa was prepared concerning his previous acts of injustice and oppression against the people of Rosetta.
The fatwa included accusations against him of beating, unlawful imprisonment, and looting property
It ended with the sentence of beheading at his home.
The Purpose of the Popular Fatwa
The French did not merely issue a direct military order to execute Osman Khaja; they also established a seemingly legitimate, local framework for his execution.
This reflects a broader French policy of attempting to use religious institutions and local notables to legitimize certain decisions made by the new authority.
The place that had been the residence of a wise ruler became, according to historical accounts, the scene of his death.
He was later buried in the local mosque.
The execution of Osman Khaja can be interpreted as combining three dimensions:
The First Dimension:
It's Punitive/ for his alleged oppression of the people of Rashid
The Second Dimension:
The Military/ for his participation in the war against the French
The Third Dimension:
Political and symbolic/ because his execution in Rashid, the city he had previously governed, carried a powerful message to the population and to supporters of the old regime.
2. The Defeat of Fraser's Campaign and the Death of Commander (Wycop)
In March 1807, Britain sent a military campaign to Egypt with the aim of pressuring the Ottoman Empire and controlling Egyptian ports. After occupying Alexandria, the forces headed towards Rosetta.
The British forces arrived in Rosetta expecting limited resistance. However, the governor of Rosetta devised a defensive plan that relied on concealing the garrison and civilians within the city and its houses, and not engaging the British until they entered the inner streets.
When the British soldiers were reassured of the city's calm and dispersed into its streets, resistance suddenly erupted from windows, rooftops, and houses.
The Ramadan House became part of the scene of popular and military resistance against the British campaign.
The nature of Rosetta's architecture, with its closely packed houses, open spaces, mashrabiyas (latticed windows), and narrow streets, contributed to making the city a suitable environment for fighting from within the buildings.
Accounts to the state that the signal to begin the attack came with the call to prayer from the Zaghloul Mosque, after which the defenders opened fire on the English forces from different positions, resulting in a large number of dead and wounded, including the commander of the advancing force, Wycombe.
According to local accounts and historical sources of Rashid:
The fighting intensified in the area between Ramadan House and the western gate of the city wall, where the garrison and the people of Rashid were entrenched. General Weykob was killed at the threshold of Ramadan House.
The Architectural Design
The architectural design of the historic Ramadan House in Rashid is distinguished by:
Its unique Ottoman style, consisting of four stories with two facades, north and west.
It is primarily constructed of dressed red and black brick.
The main entrances are adorned with intricately crafted geometric decorations (candelabrums).
It includes a main hall with spacious iwans and latticework windows, in addition to an upper bath with delicate decorations reflecting the artistic richness of the Ottoman era.
The house combined residential, commercial, and charitable functions in a single building.
The North Facade
The north facade is the most important of the house's facades, featuring three main entrances with different functions.
The First Entrance
The main entrance to the house, projecting from the facade, has a central peephole door; that is, a large door with a smaller one inside, allowing passage without opening the two main leaves.
The Second Entrance
Also a projecting entrance, this one has a central peephole door leading to the commercial and residential areas, thus emphasizing the clear separation between commercial and residential spaces.
The Third Entrance
This leads to the public water fountain (sabil), and is an arched entrance.
The separate entrance to the sabil reflects the importance of providing water for residents and passersby within the house's architectural design.
The Woven Brickwork Decorations
One of the most prominent artistic features of the north facade is the use of wrought brickwork to decorate the entrances.
The decorations take the form of stepped geometric units resembling candlesticks, and are particularly noticeable around the two main entrances.
The Facade Division
The facades of the upper floors are characterized by a clear vertical organization, as the facades of the three floors are divided into three vertical sections.
These sections feature a variety of decorative elements, including:
Wooden windows
Skylights
Mashrabiyas (latticework) or wood turning
Wooden elements with diverse geometric designs
Types of turning used in the house include:
Cistern turning, Maimun turning, and Maqal turning.
These elements serve several functions simultaneously:
Ventilation, lighting, privacy, shading, and decoration
The Ground Floor and the Agency
The ground floor differs from the upper residential floors in its functional nature.
It includes the agency, which consists of a series of rooms or chambers designated for storage and commercial activities.
The Cells
Cells are successive rooms covered by cross-vaulted ceilings.
The agency culminates in an open courtyard, overlooked by the rear windows of the upper floors.
The First Floor
The first floor is characterized by its residential layout, featuring a central hall, the focal point around which the other rooms of the house are arranged.
The hall includes two iwans:
The first iwan:
overlooking the northern street, behind which is a double window.
The second iwan:
Overlooking the inner courtyard.
A private toilet is located in the northeast corner of this floor.
The Second Floor
The second floor also features a central space, the hall.
An important element is the thick cistern opening, which is connected to the house's water supply system.
This floor relies on windows and wooden skylights to provide natural light and ventilation while maintaining the privacy of the household.
A staircase on the west side leads to the upper/underfloor level.
The Third Floor
The third floor features an architectural element known as a "shakhshakhia."
The shakhshakhia is an upper element used to aid in lighting and ventilation, and it can also serve an aesthetic purpose in the composition of the interior space.
The house's bathroom, located in the southeast corner, is connected to this floor.
The presence of a bathroom within the house indicates a high level of architectural design. And the building's service area, especially since the house was one of the large houses with an important social status.
The Ministry of Mounements Efforts
The Arab Contractors Company is currently undertaking restoration work on the house to preserve it, under the supervision of the Ministry of Antiquities.
Basyouni House
The house was built in the 12th century AH / 18th century AD.
The Location
The house is located on Dehliz El-Malik Street
The (Port Said Street)
It is adjacent to a group of important historical houses, such as the Kuhiya House and the Ramadan House.
The House's Architectural Design
The house reflects the history of the merchant class and notables of Rosetta during the Ottoman era, when the city was a global trading port connecting Egypt with the Mediterranean countries.
The house was designed to integrate family life with commercial activities. The ground floor served as a warehouse for goods and a place to conduct business, while the upper floors were dedicated to living quarters and privacy.
The Bassiouni House was included among the historical houses in Rosetta that were declared part of the Islamic World Heritage List by ISESCO in 2026, reflecting international interest in the city's architectural heritage.
The Exterior Facade
The Bassiouni House is not among the most ornately decorated houses in Rosetta. Its facade is characterized by a degree of geometric simplicity and delicate mashrabiya windows that blend residential and commercial elements.
It features two projecting buttresses on the ground floor that support the projection of the first floor. The entrance is located on the left and is topped by a skylight.
The house consists of two floors
The Ground Floor
The ground floor is more functional and economical than the upper floor.
Its most important elements include:
1. The Daraka (Reception Room)
This is the first interior space after the entrance.
2. The Storehouse
The storehouse is one of the most important elements of the ground floor, consistent with the nature of Rosetta houses, which were associated with commercial and storage activities.
C. The Open Courtyard
The storeroom opens onto an open courtyard for ventilation.
The Entrance and Hallway
It's located on the left side of the facade and above a skylight, it leads to an entrance corridor (hallway) with a stairwell door in its southern wall.
The First Floor
The first floor contains the basic living quarters.
The Hall
The main hall or reception area is located on the upper floor and is characterized by its open design, which allows for the distribution of air and light.
The Side Rooms
One room is located on the north side of the hall and another on the south side, in addition to an attached toilet, reflecting the prevailing residential architectural style of that period.
The Windows and Mashrabiyas
Windows and mashrabiyas are among the most distinctive elements of Rashidi house architecture in general.
These elements fulfill a number of functions simultaneously:
Letting in light
Ventilating the air
Reducing the intensity of sunlight
Providing privacy
Allowing views to the outside at varying degrees
The House of Muhammad Abuhum
The house is registered as an Islamic and Coptic antiquity by Ministry of Antiquities Decree No. 10357 of 1951. In 2019, Ministerial Decree No. 95 of 2019 was issued to define the boundaries of the archaeological site.
The Location
It's located on Dehliz al-Malik Street in Rashid
The street is currently known as Port Said Street and was one of the important streets where the houses of prominent merchants and notables were located during the Mamluk and Ottoman periods.
The Builder
The merchant Muhammad Abuhum
The Date of Construction
The Abuhum House dates back to the 12th century AH/18th century AD.
This period places the house within the flourishing of residential architecture in Rashid, when the city became an important commercial center on a branch of the Nile, and a class of prominent merchants and notables prospered there.
The Important Note
The available published sources provide good information about the date, location, number of floors, facade elements, and the archaeological site, but they do not provide a reliable, detailed architectural plan showing each room and its function.
Therefore, it is not appropriate to assign a specific internal layout to the house without referring to the original architectural survey of the Rashid archaeological site.
The General Layout
The house of Muhammad Abu Hum consists of three floors.
The sources mention that the rooms of the house are distinguished by their wooden turned windows and mashrabiyas, above which are wooden turned skylights.
The Facades
The facade of a Rashid house is both a functional and aesthetic element, and one of its most important features.
The Wooden Windows
The wooden turned windows were used, and they are among the most famous elements of residential architecture in Rashid.
Turned wood is not merely decorative; it also allows for some light and air while limiting direct views into the house.
The Mashrabiyas
The mashrabiyas appear among the distinctive elements of the house's rooms.
The mashrabiya serves several functions:
- Ventilating the room.
- - Improves air circulation.
- Reduces the intensity of sunlight.
- Preserves the privacy of residents.
- Provides a greater field of vision from the inside out compared to the reverse.
The Skylights
Among the important elements in Muhammad Abuhum's house are the wooden skylights above some of the openings.
In Rashidi architecture, the skylight has significant functional importance, especially in houses built close together within the old urban fabric.
It serves to:
Bring in light + Provide ventilation + Improve air circulation + Illuminate interior spaces
The Turned Woodwork
Turned woodwork is considered one of the most important artistic elements in the house.
The turning refers to intricate wooden designs composed of repeating geometric units and elements, serving a practical function in addition to its aesthetic value.
Its description as "turret-like" relates to a style of woodturning that was widespread in Islamic residential architecture, particularly in the buildings of Cairo and Rashid during the Ottoman era.
The Camel House
This house is distinguished by its unique architectural style, which relies on the use of dressed brick (makhol), wood, and windows made of turned woodwork. It also includes an internal courtyard with an old stone well at its center. This house is considered a unique and luxurious example of Islamic residential architecture.
The Founder of the Al-Jamal House
It is likely that the house's name is associated with its owner, his family, or a name by which the building was known. However, the identity of the founder is not definitively established, unlike the case of some other houses in Rashid, such as the Arab Kili House or the Al-Amsili House.
It is probable that Muhammad Al-Jamal, who was a merchant and notable figure in Rashid during the Ottoman era, was one of the owners of the house, but not its founder.
The Date of Construction
According to archaeological records, the Al-Jamal House dates back to the first half of the 12th century AH/18th century AD.
The Location
The house is located in the heart of the historic Dehliz Al-Malik Street, which contains the largest concentration of remaining Ottoman houses in Egypt.
It is adjacent to other historical structures,
specifically, between the Maharem and Ramadan Houses.
The architectural and Structural Description
The house consists of four floors, reflecting the luxurious residential style of the city's merchants and notables during that era.
The Exterior Facade and Structural Features
The house is built of black and red Rashidi bricks using wide lime mortar joints, a construction method characteristic of the city for its resistance to humidity and weathering.
The building is distinguished by the gradual projection of its upper floors from the ground floor.
This projection is structurally supported by wooden corbels.
This projection is not merely an aesthetic element; it serves several functions:
- Increasing the interior space.
- Optimizing the use of land area.
- Creating shade.
- Improving ventilation.
- Giving the facade a tiered architectural rhythm
The Openings and Windows
On the main north facade, windows made of finely turned wood (mashrabiyas) stand out, regulating light and ventilation while maintaining privacy.
Each upper floor has two windows above which are three rectangular skylights, except for the third floor, whose facade is limited to two windows and two skylights.
The Main Doors
The main northern facade features two gates (doors) ending in a semicircular arch.
The First Entrance
(The Courtyard and Stores)
The first entrance leads to a vestibule surmounted by sturdy cross vaults resting on structural piers to distribute the load.
The vestibule opens onto an open inner courtyard containing a stone well for water supply. Surrounding the courtyard are rooms designated for storage and warehousing (storerooms and trade) to meet the economic and daily needs of the household.
The Second Entrance
(The Staircase)
The second door leads directly to the house's staircase, constructed entirely of stone and sturdy wood, which connects the upper floors independently to ensure the privacy of the household.
The Room Layout
(The Residential Area)
The upper floors are architecturally divided into a main hall (central distribution hall) surrounded by a service wing and a living wing.
The main room is located on the north side to take advantage of the cool air and the mashrabiyas (latticework windows) overlooking the street, while the other sides contain the closets, adjoining rooms, and toilets.
The Top Floor
(The Courtyard)
The fourth and final floor is what is architecturally known as the courtyard (a partially open annex or roofed space used for summer living). It contains two rooms for sleeping or relaxing in hot weather.
The Well and the Inner Courtyard: The inner courtyard features an old stone well, historically used to provide water for the household and guests as part of the daily life of wealthy homes. It is surrounded by rooms with carved windows and doors decorated with intricate floral motifs, making it one of the most prominent examples of authentic Rashidi architecture.
Kohiyya House
(12th century AH / 18th century AD)
The owner of the house
The house is attributed to Ahmed Bey Kohiyya
Kahya is a word of Turkish origin and was associated with an administrative/military position in the Ottoman Empire. (He was responsible for managing military affairs in the Ottoman state)
However, sources do not definitively prove that Ahmed Bey Kuhiyya was the original builder of the house.
In fact, sources on the antiquities of Rashid indicate that the names of historical houses were often associated with the last known owner or occupant before their transfer to the Ministry of Antiquities, and not necessarily with the original builder.
The Location
The house is located on Dehliz al-Malik Street (currently known as Port Said Street), adjacent to the Alwan House.
The Architectural Design
The house was built using dressed bricks painted black and red.
The Facade
The house has a single facade overlooking the street.
The Entrance
Located on the ground floor, it is built in a simple style, completely devoid of architectural decoration.
The Mashrabiyas and Windows
Wood turning is one of the most prominent artistic elements in Kuhiyya House.
The facade of the two upper floors consists of two sections:
The First Section
Occupied by turned wood windows topped with skylights to provide light and ventilation.
The Second Section
It's occupied by projecting mashrabiyas topped with skylights. The intricate, strategically designed layout provides privacy and ventilation, in addition to its aesthetic value.
The Layout and Layers
The house consists of three floors, whose architectural and social functions are meticulously distributed as follows:
The Ground Floor
The house features a spacious open courtyard surrounded by rooms, designated for commercial and service purposes. It includes a storage room (shader), as was common in the homes of Rashid merchants at that time.
The First Floor
It's dedicated to receiving men and guests (Salamlik)
The Second Floor
It's ddicated to the women's quarters and family (Haramlik) to ensure complete privacy.
The interior Design
The upper floors are centered around a central hall (Durqaa), to which the interior rooms and chambers open, facilitating movement and ensuring proper lighting.
Alwan House
Alwan House is one of the most important historical houses in Rashid, not only for its architectural value but also for its connection to a significant event in modern Egyptian history. It was here that Ahmed Orabi met with Alwan Bey, one of Rashid's leading merchants, in 1881. This meeting took place during Orabi's tour of several Egyptian cities to garner support from the notables and the people in his political struggle against Khedive Tawfiq.
The Location
Th house is located on Dehliz al-Malik Street, now known as Port Said Street, in Rashid.
The Builder
The house is attributed to Alwan Bey/Muhammad Agha Alwan, one of Rashid's prominent merchants.
The Date of Construction
The sources date the house to the 12th century AH/18th century AD.
The Facade
The house has a single facade facing the street.
The Entrance
It's located on the ground floor, it is built in a simple style, completely devoid of architectural ornamentation.
The Mashrabiyas and Windows
The wood turning is one of the most prominent artistic elements in the Kuhiya House.
The facade of the two upper floors consists of two sections:
The first section
Features wood-turned windows topped with skylights to provide light and ventilation.
The second section
Features projecting mashrabiyas topped with skylights of intricate wood turning to provide privacy and ventilation, in addition to aesthetic value.
The Interior Layout and Levels
The house consists of three floors, whose architectural and social functions are precisely distributed as follows:
The Ground Floor
The house includes a spacious open courtyard surrounded by rooms designated for commercial and service purposes. It contains a storage room (shader), as was common in the houses of Rashid merchants at that time.
The First Floor
Dedicated to receiving men and guests (the selamlik).
The Second Floor Upper floor
Dedicated to the women's quarters and family (harem) to ensure complete privacy
The Interior design
The upper floors feature a central hall (main hall) onto which the interior rooms and chambers open to facilitate movement and ensure proper lighting.
The First Floor (Salamlik)
Dedicated to receiving men and the homeowner's majlis (reception room).
The main hall is the most important space on the floor, used for sitting and receiving guests, and is distinguished by its spaciousness.
Wooden mashrabiyas (latticework screens) are an important architectural element, serving to provide ventilation and light while maintaining privacy for the residents. They also allow for overlooking the street without revealing the interior.
The use of wood is prominent in the doors, windows, mashrabiyas, and ceilings, showcasing intricate woodturning and assembly techniques.
It combines privacy, natural ventilation, light, and wooden decoration.
The second floor (the harem)
This represents the women's and family's private quarters, the most private and furthest from the street.
Some rooms feature walls covered with decorative ceramic tiles, and there are openings connected to a serving cabinet, indicating a meticulous organization of movement and service within the house.
The State Efforts
After its deterioration, the Alwan House recently underwent restoration as part of the project to restore historic houses and mosques in Rashid. This restoration aims to save this monument, a witness to an important era in the history of Egypt and the city of Rashid.
