No where is Mohamed Ali’s interest in the town of his birth more apparent, than with the magnificent complex (Külliye) of charitable buildings he began constructing in 1813.
Located below the fortress in the lower walled city, in its final form this complex included two Medreses (higher level colleges), one which taught the traditional Islamic sciences, and one known as the Mühendishane, or College of Engineering, in which were taught the modern sciences and mathematics.