Most people visiting Egypt are there to explore its ancient pyramids, but these aren’t the only historical monuments that this country has in store. If you ever find yourself in its capital of Cairo, you’ll stumble upon beautiful mosques at every turn. Here are some of the very best.
Al-Azhar Mosque
Al-Azhar Mosque is the first mosque established in Cairo. It was commissioned in 970 and helped transform Cairo into a major center for Islamic learning in the centuries to come, helping it earn its nickname “the city of a thousand minarets”.
Mosque of Muhammad Ali
One of Cairo’s most iconic attractions, this mosque was commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha in the mid-19th century. It’s located inside the Citadel of Cairo and it’s lavishly decorated with Islamic motifs, both inside and out.
Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
This massive mosque is located in the heart of Salah al-Din Square and it’s one of the most magnificent examples of Islamic architecture in Egypt.
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun is the largest in all of Cairo by land area, but that’s not the only thing that makes it unique. It’s also one of the oldest mosques in all of Africa to survive in its original form to this day.