The Qasaba of Radwan Bey is a souq and covered market in Cairo, Egypt, located directly south of the Bab Zuweila gate and just outside the historic walled city. Its construction was completed in 1650 CE. It is the only existing example of a historic covered market street in Cairo. Today it is also well known as the Street of the Tentmakers or al-Khayamiya, the last major market dedicated to the sale of decorative textiles known as khayamiya. History and background Patron and builder of the market: Radwan Bey The market was built by Radwan (or Ridwan) Bey, a Mamluk Bey who dominated the politics of Egypt from 1631 to 1656 (CE). His influence was partly based on the fact that he occupied for a remarkable 25 years the important post of amir al-hajj, the official in charge of organizing the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) which departed from Cairo every year. Construction and context in the 17th century The market was built in the context of one of several urbanization enterprises carried out by powerful and wealthy officials in the 17th century which sought to develop the southern districts of Cairo between Bab Zuweila and the Citadel. Radwan Bey reorganized and rebuilt the district which had been formerly occupied by tanneries just outside Bab Zuweila. The area had also been occupied by various residences and a few older religious buildings (such as the Mosque of Salih Tala'i and the Mosque of al-Kurdi, both still standing today). Radwan Bey carried out a series of constructions from at least 1629 to 1647 (as recorded in waqf documents) He established not only a new covered market but also a wikala (caravanserai), a rab''' (rental apartment building), a zawiya, a sabil (public water dispensary), two minor mosques, and Radwan Bey's own palace/mansion. These various elements were more or less connected together and formed one large complex. Radwan Bay's palace was adjacent to the market and located just south of it, on the west side of the street. (Only a small part of it remains today.) The site of his mansion had also been the site of other palaces as far back as the 13th century. Directly north of the palace was located the wikala or caravanserai, also adjacent to the market. The location of Radwan Bey's complex followed a clear logic in the economic geography of Cairo at the time. Since Fatimid times (10th