Overview:

Al-Rifa'i Mosque is one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in Cairo. Located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, the building was commissioned by Khushyar Hanim, mother of Khedive Isma'il Pasha, in the late 19th century, and completed in 1912. The mosque is home to some of the most elaborate and ornate decorations in Cairo, including a number of stunning tile panels, carved stonework, wood screens, and a stunning central dome with stained glass illuminations. Al-Rifa'i Mosque is open to the public for prayer, and is also a popular tourist destination, with many visitors coming to admire the mosque's beauty and to catch a glimpse of its spiritual atmosphere. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

, the Al-Rifa'i Mosque is one of the grandest and most ornate monuments in the region. It is a 19th century Ottoman-style mosque located near the Citadel and Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, Egypt. The mosque features exceptionally detailed and intricate architectural elements, along with many precious stones and gold-leafed detailing that make it a site to behold. Some of the most prominent features of the Al-Rifa'i Mosque include its façades with four large minarets, four large plastered domes with gilded crescent finials, two grand external doors with repoussé designs, two upper terraces that provide views of the grand courtyard, a beautiful marble-tiled courtyard, and several invaluable decorative elements. The interior is also decorated with precious stones, marble columns, finely sculpted mihrab, and exquisite wall paintings. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

, the Al-Rifa'i Mosque is a historic mosque located in Cairo’s Egyptian quarter. It was founded in 1211 AD, and is one of the earliest mosques in the area to have been built. Originally, it was constructed to serve as a mausoleum for two important members of the Mameluke dynasty - Sultan Shaaban II and his son Abu al-Nasr, but it was destroyed in 1250 when the Mameluke dynasty lost power. Throughout the years, the mosque fell in and out of disrepair depending on the political power of the different ruling families. In the 17th century, it received a major renovation when it was commissioned by then-ruler of Egypt, Selim III. However, the building was again in ruins only a century later. In the 19th century, some of the mosques were renovated by highly respected ruler, Khedive Ismail, and this event brought more interest to the area, as it attracted merchants, artists, and artisans from around the region. By the late 19th century, the mosque had become a major tourist destination, and it was finally restored in 1895 by Khedive Abbas II. The mosque’s most iconic feature is the enormous marble dome, which is intricately decorated with mosaics. The interior has a particularly beautiful design, which includes intricate gilding and intricate marble and stonework, including a mihrab and minbar (pulpit). These days, the mosque is still open to visitors and is often included on guided tours. Visitors are able to marvel at its intricate details and appreciate its long history. The mosque is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive monuments in the city, and is a reminder of Egypt’s deep and rich Islamic architecture. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Al-Rifa'i Mosque is the largest mosque in Cairo and the second largest in terms of area in the world after Mecca's Masjid Al-Haram. 2. The mosque was built in 1869 to safeguard the tomb of Khushyar Hanim, the mother of Khedive Ismail, who was the ruler of Egypt and Sudan from 1867 to 1876. 3. The mosque has three minarets, each of them 40 meters high, while the total height of the building is 45 meters. 4. As for its architectural value, the mosque's structure is a mixture of different styles, with elements of Ottoman, Mamluk and even modern architecture. 5. The mosque is known for its impressive domes and minarets that are decorated with colorful tiles that add a unique beauty to the building. 6. The mosque also houses a library, which contains various books about Islamic religion and culture. 7. The mosque was used as a filming location for many Hollywood movies including The Spy Who Loved Me, The Ten Commandments and Agora. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era