The "Save Cairo" campaign announced that Antiquities Minister Mamdouh al-Damaty has agreed to enlist Bayt Madkour Pasha as an archeological house in an attempt to protect historical sites from acts of vandalism in the wake of the political turmoil and the demolition of several historic buildings unregistered with the Antiquities Ministry.
Bayt Madkour Pasha, a house built in accordance with Islamic architecture in the 19th centurty, was at risk of being demolished in Cairo by its owners.
The building was named after a prince and senior dignitary and is located in the al-Darb al-Ahmar district. In 2011, the Antiquities Ministry refused to list it as an archeological site as it was considered insignificant, thereby encouraging the owners to destroy it.
Campaigns have been launched on social networking websites to save this house, as well as other neglected houses of archeological interest, from demolition.
Architect and member of the "Save Cairo" campaign Amina Abdel Bar said, "Bayt Madkour Pasha dates back to the Mamluk era in the 19th century."
She added that the house was located on a street in the poor al-Darb al-Ahmar district which dates back to the 14th century.
Though the house was orginally considered an archeological site, it was removed from the list in 2011, which according to Abdel Bar, was a mistake.
