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Mosques, Cairo

the courtyard - Cairo
the courtyard
by viddra
Mosques tips and photos posted by real travelers and Cairo locals.
• 333 Photos
• 174 Reviews

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Mosques: Mohammed Ali Mosque
  • Tip Rating:
  • Kuznetsov_Sergey
  • Updated By Kuznetsov_Sergey on November 24, 2007
  • Cairo Page by Kuznetsov_Sergey
  • Cairo - Mohammed Ali Mosque - Cairo
    Cairo - Mohammed Ali
    Mosque
    by Kuznetsov_Sergey,
    4 more photos
    The Mohammed Ali Mosque, often called the Alabaster Mosque is located on the south side of the Citadel. It is almost certainly the first feature that catches ones eyes at the fortress. It is one of the city's great landmarks with its tall and disproportionately slender minarets which are seen from almost everywhere in Cairo.

    The Mosque is the most popular Islamic mosque among numerous tourists. It was begun in 1824 by Mohammed Ali and completed in 1857, under his successor Said. Muhammad Ali erected this mosque, where he is buried, as a monument to himself. The architect Yusuf Boshna from Istanbul, who was a Greek, took as his model the Nuruosmaniye Mosque in that city, which was modeled itself on the Hagia Sophia.

    You may find the exact direction and watch my photos on Google Earth in Islamic Cairo according to the following coordinates:
    30º 1' 54.14" N and 31º 15' 25.99" E

  • Directions: You may find the exact direction and watch my photos on my Google Earth Panoramio Mohammed Ali Mosque from apart and Mohammed Ali Mosque
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    Mosques: ~ Mohammed Ali Mosque ~
  • Tip Rating:
  • Heavens-Mirror
  • Updated By Heavens-Mirror on October 4, 2005
  • Cairo Page by Heavens-Mirror
  • Me outside the Mohammed Ali Mosque - Cairo
    Me outside the Mohammed
    Ali Mosque
    by Heavens-Mirror
    One of Cairo's most popular tourist attractions is the Mohammed Ali Mosque. it is one of the worlds greatest monuments , as well as a highly visible landmark on Cairo's eastern skyline. Particularly when viewed from the back side it reveals a very medieval character.

    I enjoyed it here at the Mosque but you must respect the religion when visiting, women should cover up arms & legs.. but wear something light as it is very warm inside.

    It was a gorgeous day when i visited the Mosque, check out this photo.... the sky is so blue!

  • Address: South-East Cairo
  • Website: http://www.touregypt.net
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    Mosques: The minbar of Sultan Hassan Mosque
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  • Updated By uglyscot on June 17, 2005
  • Cairo Page by uglyscot
  • the minbar, Sultan Hassan - Cairo
    the minbar, Sultan Hassan
    by uglyscot
    Everything in a mosque should be beautiful as a sign of man's respect for Allah. Inside Sultan Hassan mosque this is very clear. The minbar is a work of art in itself. The minbar is the niche that indicates the direction of Mecca to which men face when they offer their prayers to God. Note the use of the stone and the gilding.
    Next to it is the wooden pulpit.

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  • Address: Sultan Hassan Mosque
  • Directions: near Citadel and next to Rifaie Mosque
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    Mosques: Mosque of Sultan Hassan
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  • By uglyscot on June 17, 2005
  • Cairo Page by uglyscot
  • lamps - Cairo
    lamps
    by uglyscot
    The inside of the mosque of Sultan Hassan can be visited by non-Muslims as long as they are respectfully dressed and remove their shoes. Inside there are many beautiful features. I loved the effect of light and shade. [see other tip], and the numerous hanging lights. Unfortunately I have not seen them at night so do not know if they are actually working, but even by day they make an interesting picture.

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  • Address: Mosque of Sultan Hassan
  • Directions: near the Citadel and next to Rifaie mosque.
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    Mosques: The Mosque of Ibn Tulun
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  • Updated By uglyscot on April 4, 2006
  • Cairo Page by uglyscot
  • Ibn Tulun Mosque - Cairo
    Ibn Tulun Mosque
    by uglyscot, 1 more photos
    This is the most impressive mediaeval mosque in Cairo. It is also one of the largest [2.5 sq km] and oldest in the world..
    The mosque was built about 876-879, and it is still functioning. It is built in the Iraqi style, but it has a pointed arch. It was built of mud-brick and timber. on a rocky outcrop to protect it from the annual flooding of the Nile.
    The mosque eventually fell into ruin, but was restored in the 13th century.
    The walls have a paper-doll-like crenellation. There are six large gates A wooden band with Koranic verses goes all the way tound the mosque, just under the ceiling. The courtyard is massive, and a climb up the spiral minaret gives a magnificent view.
    Entrance costs about 6 Egyptian pounds. Take your shoes off, or pay to use slippers.

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  • Directions: From Midan Saida Zeinab walk down Port Said street for about 200m then turn right down Sharia Qadry. At the junction bear left and follow the road up to the right- or take a Taxi! The Citadel and the mosque of Mohamed Ali lie to the northeast.
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    Mosques: Islamic/Fatimid Cairo
  • Tip Rating:
  • MM212
  • Updated By MM212 on April 30, 2007
  • Cairo Page by MM212
  • City of a Thousand Minarets - Cairo
    City of a Thousand
    Minarets
    by MM212,
    4 more photos
    Islamic Cairo, often referred to as Fatimid Cairo, is extremely fascinating, as this part of the city has changed little in perhaps 500 years. It was the centre of Cairo for 8 centuries, from its founding in 969 AD by the Fatimids through the Ayyubid and Mamluke periods, and until the 18th century when Egypt was part of the Ottoman Empire. This area is thus the richest architecturally with about 800 listed historic buildings, including some of the most visited historic sites, such as Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, el-Azhar Mosque, the Citadel and many more. Interesting things and amazing architecture await you around every corner. A warning though, you have to be ready to walk through crowded dirty streets as this area is a poorer, and hence neglected, part of Cairo. Most distressing is seeing the magnificent old buildings falling apart, but there is finally now an increasing effort to restore the treasures of old Cairo. Here are a few pictures of old Cairo, including some of the recently restored monuments. Take a look at the Travelogue "Images from Old Cairo" for more pictures from this area.

  • Directions: A quick taxi ride from Downtown Cairo and a good place to start is el-Azhar Mosque. You can ask the taxi to wait for you for a small charge while you explore the old town.
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    Mosques: the fighting men of Ibn Tulun
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  • Updated By uglyscot on April 5, 2006
  • Cairo Page by uglyscot
  • figures on wall of Ibn Tulun - Cairo
    figures on wall of Ibn Tulun
    by uglyscot
    Tulun was descended from a Central Asian slave presented to Khalif el Mamoun who rose to be commander of the household guards.
    The mosque was built between 876 and 79 and is the largest mosque in Cairo.
    I find the crenellation reminds me of the paper-tolls we used to make by folding and cutting newspaper when we were children. The shadows they make when the sun shines from the right direction is quite impressive.

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  • Address: Ibn Tulun Mosque
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    Mosques: Mosque of Hassan
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  • Updated By uglyscot on May 9, 2005
  • Cairo Page by uglyscot
  • Light and shade in Hassan Mosque - Cairo
    Light and shade in Hassan
    Mosque
    by uglyscot
    One of the early mosques. It is large and inside there is a wonderful sense of light and shadow.
    The hanging lanterns, the arches, the muwaddah for ablutions, the minbar all are interesting. The entrance to the mosque is also beautiful.
    It is an example of Mamluke architecture

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  • Address: near the Citadel,
  • Directions: and next to Rifai mosque
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    Mosques: El-Azhar Mosque
  • Tip Rating:
  • Kuznetsov_Sergey
  • Updated By Kuznetsov_Sergey on November 25, 2007
  • Cairo Page by Kuznetsov_Sergey
  • Cairo - El-Azhar Mosque - Cairo
    Cairo - El-Azhar Mosque
    by Kuznetsov_Sergey, 4 more photos
    Many people consider the El-Azhar Mosque (in translation the "most blooming") as the finest building of the Fatimid period. The Mosque is located in El Hussein Square. It was completed in the X-th century by Gohar. The Mosque was almost destructed rebuilt by an earthquake in the XIV-th century. The modern building appeared in the XVIII-th and in more recent times the Egyptian rulers emulated one another in maintaining and enlarging this venerable building.

    There are five very fine minarets with small balconies and intricately carved columns. The rectangular ground plan of the original building is easily recognizable, however, in spite of later additions and alterations.

    It was given the status of a university by Caliph El-Aziz. This is the oldest university in the world, where the first lecture was delivered in 975 AD.The El-Azhar University is still the leading educational center of the Islamic World.

    It’s closed for non Muslims during praying.

    You may find the exact direction on Google Earth in Islamic Cairo according to the following coordinates:
    30º 2' 48.31" N and 31º 15' 48.78" E

  • Directions: You may find the exact direction on my Google Earth Panoramio El-Azhar Mosque or El-Azhar Mosque one more
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    Mosques: Rifaie mosque
  • Tip Rating:
  • By uglyscot on June 17, 2005
  • Cairo Page by uglyscot
  • window at Rifaie Moaque - Cairo
    window at Rifaie Moaque
    by uglyscot
    Rifaie mosque is a modern mosque built next to that of Sultan Hassan. It is the place where the Egyptian royal family were buried, and also the Shah of Iran. Guides will offer to take you to see these sarcophagi expecting bakhsheesh.
    The outside is also interesting with some beautiful carved pillars, and windows.

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  • Address: near the Citadel
  • Directions: next to Sultan Hassan Mosque
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