Islamic Monuments in Cairo

Islamic Monuments in Cairo

The Mosques

Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas (Al-Fustat)
It was the first mosque built in Egypt and Africa.
It is simple in design and contains architecture elements from different periods.

The mosque was originally built on an area of 1,500 square cubits, overlooking the Nile. The
initial structure was quite simple; with walls bare of any plaster or decorations, but without niche (miharb), minaret or ground cover. It had two doors on the north and two others facing Amr's house.

The mosque area remained unchanged until 672 AD (53 AH), when Musallama al-Ansari, Egypt's ruler on behalf of Caliph Mu'awiya Ibn abi-Sufian undertook expansion and renovation works for the mosque. Walls and ceilings were decorated and four compartments for "muezzins" (callers for prayers) were added at the corners, together with a minaret, while the mosque ground was covered with straw mats.

Mosque of Ahmed Ibn Tulun

This is the third "large mosque" (gamee) built in Egypt. It is characterized by its spacious hall (saha), its unique spiral minaret and a large collection of gypsum decoration.

Built by Ahmed Ibn Tulun in 879 (265 H), the Ibn Tulun Mosque in the Sayyedah Zeinab district has an atmosphere of tranquillity unlike that of any other mosque in the city. Ahmed Ibn Tulun was sent to govern Cairo by the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad, which explains the Mesopotamian influence. It is the oldest original mosque and the largest in Egypt. It incorporates a number of unique features, such as the external spiral staircase of the unusual minaret (the only one of its type in Egypt) which is similar to the famous Samarra Mosque in Mesopotamia. Its design is simple, consisting of an open sahn with an ablution fountain in the center, surrounded by four riwaqs, the largest being the Qiblah riwaq. There are five naves on the Qiblah side (the side facing Mecca), and two on the remaining sides. The building style follows that of the Abbasid type, characterized by pilasters on which slightly pointed arches are applied, and which have a slight inward curve at the bottom.

Al-Azhar Mosque

The first Fatimid mosque in Cairo, it was founded in Midan Hussein by Gawhar al-Sikilli in AD 971 as both a mosque and Madrasah (school). It is named after Fatma al-Zahraa, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. It is considered the oldest Islamic University, the first lecture having been delivered in AD 975.

The Al-Azhar Mosque (the most blooming), established in 972 (361 H) in a porticoed style shortly after the founding of Cairo itself, was originally designed by the Fatimid general Jawhar El-Sequili (Gawhara Qunqubay, Gawhar al-Sakkaly) and built on the orders of Caliph Muezz Li-Din Allah. Located in the center of an area teaming with the most beautiful Islamic monuments from the 10th century, it was called "Al-Azhar" after Fatama al-Zahraa, daughter of the Prophet Mohamed (Peace and Prayers Be Upon Him). It imitated both the Amr Ibn El-As and Ibn Tulun mosques. The first Fatimid monument in Egypt, the Azhar was both a meeting place for Shi'a students and through the centuries, it has remained a focal point of the famous university which has grown up around it.

Mosque of Sultan Hassan

Located at the end of Al-Qalaa (Citadel) Street, it was founded by Al-Nasser Hassan Bin-Mohammed Bin-Qalawon, a Mamelouk ruler, as a mosque and a school accomodating the four main sects (madhhabs) of Sunnism.

The Sultan Hassan Mosque and madrasa (School) is considered stylistically the most compact and unified of all Cairo monuments. The building was constructed for Sultan Hassan bin Mohammad bin Qala'oun in 1256 AD as a mosque and religious school for all sects. It was designed so that each of the four main Sunni sects (orthodox Muslim, or Sunni rites, consisting of Shafite, Malikite, Hanefte and Hanbalite) has its own school while sharing the mosque. The cornices, the entrance, and the monumental staircase are particularly noteworthy.

Many consider the Sultan Hassan Mosque to be the most outstanding Islamic monument in Egypt. It is of true Bahri Mameluke origin, built of stone, and while it is entirely different in design, it shares a like boldness to the Ibn Tulun Mosque.

Al-Refai Mosque

One of the most nicely decorated mosques in Cairo, this monument is located near the Citadel of Salah-El-Din (Saladin) and the Mosque of Sultan Hassan. Here, several members of the former Royal Family (including King Farouk), as well as the ex-Shah of Iran, are buried.

Designed by Mustapha Fahmi with a Bahri Mameluke style, the Refa'i Mosque faces the Sultan Hassan Mosque and is named after a Muslin holy man, Shekh Ali Abu El-Shoubak who is buried here. The mosque was completed in 1912 by Max Herz Pasha and was constructed at the order of Khoushiar, mother of the Khedive Ismail. The mosque also became the Royal Crypt of Egypt's last dynasty. It was built on the former site of the Sheikh ar-Rifa'i zawia and covers 75,350 square feet.

Mosque of Al-Moayyed

Located in Al Moezz Street, Gamaleya, it was built in the Fifteenth Century. Its minaret rises above one of the old city gates, Bab Zuweila, and provides a landscape view of Medieval Cairo.

With twin minarets offering an outstanding view over the city, the Al-Mu'ayyad or Red Mosque has an interesting legend behind its construction: it was built between 1415 and 1420 by Sultan Al-Mu'ayyad on the site of the prison in which he was incarcerated. It is said that he vowed that if he were ever freed, he would construct a Mosque to replace the prison. The Mosque contains the tombs of the Sultan and his son, and is decorated with exquisite marble, mother-of-pearl and ivory.

The Blue Mosque

Located in Tibbanah Street, it was founded by Prince Aqsunqur Al-Nassery in AD 1347 and contains some of the most impressive blue mosaic on its walls.

The Aqsunqur or Blue Mosque, which lies north of the Citadel and close to the Bab Zuwayla, was built by one of al-Nasir Muhammad's Emirs, Shams ad-Din Aqsunqur, in 1346, and is one of Cairo's most notable mosques. While there is blue-Gray marble on the mosque's facade, it derives the name "Blue Mosque" from the interior walls, which are covered in isnik blue and turquoise tiles outlined with plant and flower designs.

The mosque is cruciform in design, with porticos originally covered by groined vaults instead of a wood ceiling. The arches are supported by square and octagonal pillars, which gives it an unusual appearance. It contains a mihrab which is inlaid with polychrome marble and mosaic in soft plum, salmon, gray and green colors.

The Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali
Built in AD 1830 on the northern elevated part of the Citadel, the mosque is visible to most parts of Cairo.

Designed by the Greek architect Yussuf Bushnaq, The Mohammad Ali (Alabaster) Mosque in the Citadel was begun in 1830 (finished in 1857) in the Ottoman style by Mohammad Ali Pasha, ruler of Egypt, and founder of the country's last dynasty of Khedives and Kings. The mosque is the Tomb of Mohammad Ali and is also known as the Alabaster Mosque because of the extensive use of this fine material from Beni Suef. Its two slender 270 foot minarets are unusual for Cairo. From the arcaded courtyard, visitors have a magnificent view across the city to the pyramids in Giza. Just off the courtyard is the vast prayer hall with an Ottoman style dome which is 170 feet above. The parapet to the southwest offers a good view of the Sultan Hassan and Ibn Tulun Mosques and of Cairo itself. Perhaps because of its location, it is one of the most frequented Mosques by tourists.

Other Islamic Sites

Fortress of Salah-Al-Din (Saladin)

Known as Al-Qalaa (the Citadel) and built by Salah-Al-Din Al-Ayyubi (Saladin) in AD 1183. Overlooking the city of Cairo from the Muqattam Hills, it houses a number of important monuments including the Mosque of Soliman Pasha, the Alabaster Mosque, the 90-meter deep Bir Yusuf (Joseph's Well) Al-Gawhara Palace, and a military museum.

House of Gamal-Al-Din Al-Dhahabi

Located in Al-Ghoureya, it is an example of Arab buildings of the early 17th Century AD. It was owned by a wealthy Egyptian merchant.

House of Al-Seheimi

Located in Darb al-Asfar, it was founded in 1796 and constitutes another example of Islamic architecture.

The Museum of Islamic Art (Bab Al-Khalq)

The museum is regarded as the largest in the Middle East and houses 80,000 rare objects dating from early Islam to the Ottoman period.
The museum is currently entered from Sharia Bur Said via its garden door, which messes up the already confusing arrangement of exhibits by period and medium. To view them in order, walk straight through Rooms 7, 10, 4B and 2 (which contain some of the finest work) and begin with Room 1. However, the cool, deserted halls tempt one to wander through the collection.