The Italian-Egyptian Centre for Restoration and Archaeology (CIERA) operates in one of the largest monumental compounds of historical Cairo. The area offers an extraordinary range of different periods and styles and includes architectural, historical and artistic remains and testimonies covering the period from VII to XIX century.

In particular, the following is a list of the most remarkable buildings:

- Palace of Qusun-Yashbak-Aqbardi: built by subsequent additions between the 14^th and 16^th century, this is the largest part of the monumental compound.

- Madrasa of Sunqur Sa’di (14^th century) and the underlying archaeological area, with remains of settlements coming from different epochs, starting from the 7^th century AD, date of the beginning of the Arab presence in Egypt.

- Mausoleum of Hasan Sadaqa (14^th century), with its minaret characterized by an unusual “hilal” (a dervish hat, instead of the most common crescent).

- Sama’ Khana: a “theater” built by Mevlevi Dervishes (starting from 18^th century) to perform their circular dance, typical of their mystical confraternity. Its plan is based on deep symbolic meanings, and it is one of the last existing examples of this rare architectural typology.

- The “takiyya”, which is the “Convent” of Mevlevi Dervishes. Its construction started in the 16^th century, in the area between the remains of the madrasa of Sunqur Sa’di and Yashbak Palace, adapting to the new function what could be utilized from the old monuments.