Tucked against the outer wall of Ibn Tulun Mosque, the Gayer-Anderson House is one of Cairo’s most atmospheric hidden gems — a genuine window into 17th-century domestic life, preserved almost exactly as it once was.
Two Houses, One Home
The building is actually two separate mansions joined into one. The larger, eastern house was built in 1632 by Hajj Mohammad ibn al-Hajj Salem ibn Galman al-Gazzar, a wealthy merchant, during the Ottoman period. Together, the two houses form one of the finest surviving examples of Mamluk and Ottoman-era domestic architecture left in Cairo.
The Man Behind the Name
The house takes its name from Major Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson, a British officer, physician, and avid collector who lived here between 1935 and 1942, with special permission from the Egyptian government. An enthusiastic Orientalist, Gayer-Anderson filled the house with his personal collection of antique furniture, Persian carpets, and curiosities — many gathered during his years living and working across Egypt. When he eventually left Cairo, the house and its collection were preserved as a museum, exactly as he left them.
What to See
Inside, visitors wander through richly decorated rooms, ornate mashrabiya screens, and a genuinely rare glimpse into how a wealthy household once lived — a striking contrast to the more austere religious architecture of the neighbouring mosque.
Visiting the Gayer-Anderson House
The museum sits directly beside Ibn Tulun Mosque, making the two an easy, natural pairing for any Islamic Cairo visit.
Explore our Islamic Cairo Architecture Tour →, visiting the Gayer-Anderson House alongside Ibn Tulun Mosque, Sultan Hassan Mosque, and Al-Rifai Mosque.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gayer-Anderson House?
A pair of 17th-century Ottoman-era mansions in Cairo, now preserved as a museum showcasing antique furniture, carpets, and Islamic art collected by British officer Robert Gayer-Anderson.
Is the Gayer-Anderson House near Ibn Tulun Mosque?
Yes — the house is built directly against the mosque’s outer wall, making them an easy pair to visit together.
