Islamic Egypt

Mosques in Egypt

See Soaring Minarets

Abu Al-Abbas Al-Mursi Mosque

A Tribute to an Andalusian Sheikh in Alexandria

Abu Al-Abbas Al-Mursi is Alexandria’s largest mosque; with a cream coloured façade, four great domes, arabesque designs and a high minaret, the mosque is a beautiful sight.

Built in 1775 to commemorate the life of an Andalusian Sheikh that was buried on the site, it is one of the most visitedmosques on the White Med coast.

While visiting this amazing sanctuary, do not forget to have a long and thorough look at the colonnade of elongated arches, the eight monolithic granite columns and the beautiful marble floor.

Al-Azhar Mosque

And the World's Oldest University

Located at the heart of Islamic Cairo, the Al-Azhar complex, mosque and university, does not only house the oldest university in the world but it is also the place where the graduation black gowns originated from. The costume worn by students all around the world during their graduation seems to have been inspired by the flowing robes of the Islamic Scholars “graduating” from Al-Azhar.

The University is now distributed between different buildings, but the mosque, founded by Jawhar al-Siqilly, the Fatimid conqueror of Egypt, in 970 is still a true marvel and a not-to-be-missed attraction while visiting Cairo.

Moreover, due to its location, it is the perfect place to start your exploration tour of Islamic Cairo.

Al-Aqmar Mosque in Cairo

The Moonlit Mosque

A rather small mosque, Al-Aqmar mosque makes up for its size with its architectural and historical significance. Located nearAl-Qalawun Complex Al-Aqmar is one of the only remaining Fatimid mosques in Cairo.

This was the first mosque in Cairo to have a decorated façade, and also the first to have its plan made to accommodate the street plan. Take in the intricate and delicate carvings and patterns on the walls, façade, and minaret of this truly beautiful mosque built in 1125.

The name of the mosque means moonlit in Arabic, in reference to the way its walls shimmer in the moonlight.

Al-Hussein Mosque

The Holiest Mosque in Egypt

Located near the famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar in Cairo and – as it was discovered during works on the mosque’s foundations in the 1900’s – on the remains of the Fatimid Caliphs cemetery inCairo, the Al-Hussein mosque is considered as one of the holiest mosques in Egypt.
It is usually the sanctuary where the Egyptian president and other dignitaries pray on special occasions.

Most of the mosque was built around 1870; the panels on the mosque’s spectacular minaret date however to the 14th century. A more modern addition to the mosque are the large Teflon canopies that open to provide shade for worshippers who come to the mosque’s square for Friday prayer.

Al-Rifa'i Mosque

Final Resting Place for Royalty

Al-Rifa'i Mosque is one of Cairo's largest mosques. It took 43 years to build this beautiful sanctuary that combines different Islamic architectural styles. Located in "Midan Al-Qalaa" or the Citadel Square, it faces the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan which it rivals in size and grandeur.

This Mosque is the resting place of many members of the Egyptian Royal Family, including the last king, King Farouk. The last Shah of Iran has also been buried in this mosque in 1980.

Make sure you notice the ornamental window grills and the breathtakingly high ceiling, held up by 44 colossal pillars.

Ticket Price(s):
Regular: 25 EGP
Student: 15 EGP

Al-Nassir Mohamed Mosque

A Mamluk Touch in Cairo's Citadel

One of the three mosques in the Cairo Citadel, Al-Nassir Mohamed mosque may seem minuscule next to the Mohamed Ali Mosque, it is however the only remaining Mamluk contribution to the Citadel.

Dating back to 1318, the mosque has two minarets, differing in shape and height. Note the beautifully carved wooden ceiling that is still in good shape. The glazed blue and green tiles that adorn the minarets are unusual for the mosques of Egypt and are also quite lovely. As you walk through this lovely old mosque it is hard to believe that it was once used as a stable!

Sultan Al-Mu'ayyad Sheikh Mosque

The Revenge of a Prisoner

Located near Bab Zuweila in Cairo, this is a mosque with an interesting story.
The founder, a Mamluk sultan, was imprisoned and suffered greatly in this particular place; he vowed that if he ever came to power he would transform the prison into a school and mosque where intellectuals would come to study.

After regaining his freedom, he did just that, turning the prison into one of the most beautiful and expensive mosques and madrasas to be built in Cairo. Marble in all its colours was brought from different locations and used to adorn the walls, ceiling, and floors in designs that will make you gape at their beauty.

Twin minarets of the mosque rest above Bab Zuweila dominating the area. The mausoleums of the sultan and his family are found in the mosque.

Al-Hakim Mosque

See the Oldest Minarets in Cairo

Located near Bab al-Futuh, at the beginning of Al-Mo’ez Street, you’ll find one of the largest Fatimid mosques in Cairo: the Al-Hakim Mosque.

A famously eccentric caliph, Al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah, ordered its construction in 990 AD. Towards the end of his reign, he disappeared without a trace at the age of 36. The mosque has since then been used as a warehouse and an elementary school before being reconverted into a mosque in 1980.

The sanctuary's most impressive features are its minarets, the oldest "surviving" minarets of all Cairo, and the mosque's spectacular entrance resembling a propylon which is more of an Ancient Egyptian architectural feature.

Mohamed Ali Mosque

The Alabaster Mosque

Visiting Cairo, you will easily locate the Mohamed Ali Mosque, due to its prominent features: its dome rises up to 52 metres high and two east side minarets reach not less than 84 meters. While wandering around the mosque, you will soon discover why it also holds the name of the “Alabaster Mosque.” Its interior and exterior walls are amazingly coated with alabaster to the height of 11 metres. The Mohammed Ali Mosque crowns the Citadel of Salah el-Din in Cairo. It was built between 1830 and 1848 by the architect Yousef Bushnak and upon Mohamed Ali Pasha’s request.

 Amir Altunbugha Al-Maridani Mosque

The Mosque of Al-Maridani

Set amidst the hustle and bustle of Cairo, in the Darb Al-Ahmar district, lies the very serene 14th century mosque of Al-Maridani which houses an interior garden with trees and running water, where birds come to play in the heat of the city.

The mosque features a mixture of architectural styles, some of its columns are taken from ancient Egyptian monuments, and you can also find Islamic, Christian, Ottoman, and even Roman styles.
Its mashrabiya screens as well as the wooden ceiling are spectacular, and the stained glass windows are stunning.

Sit in the courtyard and relax among the trees and the beautiful setting of this mosque, while you listen to the call to prayer rising from its beautiful minarets.

Mosque of Ibn Tulun

The Largest Mosque in Cairo

Looking more like a fortress with its imposing wall full of beautiful crenulations, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun is believed to be the oldest mosque in Cairo, and the city’s largest mosque in terms of land area, which covers no less than 26.300 sq. m.

Standing among beautifully decorated arches in the vast courtyard, the mosque was built by Ibn Tulun in the 9th century and served as the centre of the Tulun Dynasty capital.

The building's beauty and surroundings are best appreciated from atop the spiral minaret, a structure that was inspired to Ibn Tulun by his homeland, Iraq, where in Samarra such a minaret soars above the town's ancient mosque.

Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-'As

First Mosque in Egypt and Africa

Built in 642 AD with palm trunks and fronds, it was the first mosque erected in Egypt and all Africa.
The location of the mosque was determined by the general of the Muslim Army Amr Ibn Al-'As who had pitched his tent at that very same place when he conquered the land.

The capital of Islamic Egypt Al-Fustat was then built around this spot. There are approximately 200 columns in the mosque taken from different sites, and the wide and quiet spaces offer a sanctuary from the bustle of Cairo.

The mosque of Amr Ibn Al 'As is part of what is commonly known today as the "Multi-Religious Compound" in Cairo, an area that is home to very old places of worship pertaining to the three monotheistic religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

Nabi Daniel Mosque

Is Alexander the Great buried at this mosque in Alexandria? To explore this still unsolved mystery, ride a bus to Masr station and walk south on Nabi Daniel Street, close to the intersection of the ancient Via Canopica and R5 Street until you reach Nabi Daniel Mosque.

There are two different accounts of the mosque's namesake. In the first, the mosque is named after the Biblical prophet Daniel whose life story is based in large part on the accounts of the Old Testament but incorporates many aspects of Alexander the Great. The Macedonian king founded the city of Alexandria and was buried in a golden sarcophagus at the site of the mosque.
Alternatively, the mosque may have been named after a Kurd, Sheikh Mohammed Daniel who came to Alexandria from Mosul in the 15th century.

The present Mosque of Nabi Daniel was built at the end of the 18th century on the site of a 4th century roman temple and restored in 1823 by Mohamed Ali.

The Blue Mosque

The Aqsunkur Mosque

The Mamluk style Blue Mosque also known as the Aqsunqur Mosque is located in old Cairo, and was built in 1347. It boasts beautiful bluish marble on its outer walls, and inside is flowery tiling in Ottoman fashion also in blue, giving the mosque its name; these tiles were added during a 1652 restoration.

There are two mausoleums in the mosque, as well as an intricately decorated pulpit studded with colourful stones and displaying grape vines.

The Blue Mosque is remarkably close to where the Salah El-Din’s city walls were recently found and across the street fromAl-Azhar Park.

Houses & Citadels

Beautiful Displays of Islamic Architecture

Al-Qasr

An Ottoman Town in the Heart of the Desert

A trip to the Dakhla Oasis is not complete without a visit to the medieval Ottoman town of Al-Qasr.

Al-Qasr is set at the foot of pink limestone cliffs on the northern rim of the oasis.

The architecture of the houses, which engulf the cool narrow streets and alleyways despite the summer heat and protect residents during sandstorms, attests to the importance the Ottomans placed in securing the remote oasis town.

Balat

The Mark of the Mamluks & Ottomans

Built over an Ancient Egyptian site, Balat is an enchanting Islamic medieval village about 35 km from Mut. See the Sudanese-style mud architecture and the influence of the Mamluk and Ottoman reign of Egypt. Ask a guide to take you to the roof of a mud-brick house to see a fine view of Balat.

200 m east of Balat lies Ain el-Asil, an Old Kingdom Settlement. About 1.5 km away is Qila Al-Dabba, Balat's ancient necropolis formed of five mastabas, one which has been restored and open to the public.
An inscription has been found on one of the tombs stating in hieroglyphs that the governor of the oasis [who lies in this tomb] is the most powerful desert leader.

Salah El-Din Citadel in Cairo

Bastion of Islam

When in Cairo, it is basically impossible to miss the Salah El-Din Citadel , one of the world’s greatest monuments to medieval warfare. Resembling a typical early medieval fortress, with large imposing gateways, towers and high defending walls, the Citadel is one of Cairo's main attractions and probably the most popular non-pharaonic monument in the Egyptian capital.

The prominent fortress houses three mosques – of which the impressive Mohamed Ali Mosque – a carriage museum, a military museum, and a garden museum, just to name a few, and they are all worth a visit.
You are even allowed the run of the fortifications and it is worth a try: the views are spectacular from this height.

The citadel is also home to the impressive Gawhara Palace (the Jewel Palace), named after Gawhara Hanem, Mohamed Ali's last wife. Built in 1814, it housed the ruler’s administration and was used as a personal residence by the Egyptian leader. Beautiful gold inscriptions adorn the walls of this majestic Ottoman-influenced palace. One of its most eccentric components is the Watch Hall, where the shape of a watch has been used to decorate the walls.

Ticket Price(s):
Regular: 50 EGP
Student: 25 EGP

Salah El-Din's Fortress

Best Views on the Gulf of Aqaba

After a short ferry ride from Taba’s coast, you’ll reach the Island of the Pharaoh, a small granite atoll surrounded by coral reefs and dominated by the magnificent Saladin fortress, built by Crusaders in the 12th century and recently restored by the Council of Egyptian Antiquities.

Salah El-Din based his soldiers on this strategic island in order to control the trade of products coming from Asia and demand ransoms from pilgrims on their way to Mecca. A truly strategic spot: you’ll be stunned by the fortress’s panoramic view, a landscape merging between the coasts of Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Ticket Price(s):
Regular: 55 EGP
Student: 30 EGP

Qaitbay Fort

Overlooking the Eastern Harbour of Alexandria

Built in the 1480s, the small citadel of Qaitbay overlooksAlexandria’s Eastern Harbour and contains ruins from the all famous Pharos or Lighthouse of Alexandria, a former wonder of the world.

Legend has it that the prominent landmark stood an incredible 135 metres high. Imagine that donkeys had to go up and down the double spiral staircase carrying day and night loads of timber to fuel the lighthouse’s lantern!

Ticket Price(s):
Regular: 20 EGPStudent: 15 EGP

Beyt El-Suhaimi

The Finest Example of Traditional Residences

Gazing at the typically plain and maybe – to some – even dull façade of Beyt el-Suhaimi, you cannot imagine the architectural treasures you will witness inside.
This mansion is Islamic Cairo's finest example of the traditional family residences built throughout the city from Mamluk times to the 19th century.

Once you enter the house, you will emerge into a beautiful inner courtyard transporting you to the days where guests were received in the adjacent impressive reception room, the "qa'a."
Set around a magnificent marble fountain inset in the floor, the room has also a high painted wooden ceiling you’ll discover after following the most delicate green and blue patterned enamel tiles on the walls.

Going upstairs, you will discover the family apartments and the wooden lattice windows, known as “mashrabiya”, allowing women of the house to observe the street life below without being seen.

And again, have a look at the very high ceilings which allowed the warmer air to rise and then to be swept away by the north facing maq'ad (wind scoops) in the upper walls which caught the breeze. A precursor of today's air-conditioning systems, you might think. And so it was; this architectural feature really helped in making life easier in Cairo's dry and hot weather.

Ticket Price(s):
Regular: 30 EGP
Student: 15 EGP

Shali Fortress

The Prominent Guardian of Siwa

The centre of Siwa is dominated by the ruins of the 13th century Shali fortress.
Built from a material known as “kershef” (salt rocks from the local salt lakes and mud), the ruins are subject to additional disintegration after each rainfall.

You can walk up to the top of the fortress to witness spectacular views of the oasis and its surroundings.

Islamic Museums

Museum of Islamic Art

The Muslim Heritage of Egypt

Displaying over 10,000 articles dating back to the Islamic era in Egypt, this is one place you don’t want to miss while in Cairo.

Marvel at the giant carved wooden doors or the tiny, intricate copper sculptures.
With exhibitions from every Islamic period in Egypt, it covers the Fatimids, the Mamluks, the Abbassids, the Ummayads, the Ottomans, and the Ayyubbids dynasties.

Opening Hours: 09:00-16:00
Fri 9:00-11:30; 13:30-16:00

Ticket Price(s):
Regular: 40 EGP
Student: 20 EGP

The Gayer Anderson Museum

Agent 007 Was Here!

The Gayer Anderson Museum in Cairo is a must-see on your exploration tour of Islamic Cairo. It consists of an amazing patchwork of Islamic styles and artefacts packed into two wonderful ancient residences: Beit el-Kiridiliya (1632) and Beit Amna Bent Salim (1540).

The museum was founded by a British major, John Gayer-Anderson, an army doctor who restored and furnished the two residences between 1935 and 1942, filling them with antiquities, artwork, furniture, glassware, crystal, carpets, silks and embroidered Arab costumes.

Used as a location in the James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me", the museum houses a puzzle of theme-decorated rooms: the Persian room has exquisite tiling, the Damascus room has lacquer and gold, whereas in other parts of the museum, you’ll find a central marble fountain, decorated ceiling beams and carpet-covered alcoves.

Opening hours: 09:00- 16:00

Ticket Price(s):
Regular: 35 EGP
Student: 20 EGP