Overview:

: The Mosque of Ahmad ibn Tulun is the oldest mosque in Cairo, Egypt, and one of the largest in the city. It was built in 876 by the eponymous Abbasid governor of Egypt, during the rule of the Abbasid Caliphate. The mosque is unique in that it is one of the few Islamic monuments that has a clearly distinguishable style of Fatimid architecture, as it was built before the Fatimid dynasty came to power in Egypt in 969. There are two great courtyards, the northern one of which is one of the largest in all of Egypt. The mosque is renowned for its large, bulbous wooden dome and its impressive minaret. It also has extensive decorative elements, including elaborate stone carvings, marble window screens, colorful mosaics, and painted stucco decorations. The Mosque of Ahmad ibn Tulun is a historic landmark and is still used as a place of worship today. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

1. The mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun is one of the oldest and most remarkable structures in Cairo, Egypt. 2. It was built between 876 and 879 AD by the ruling Abbassid Caliph, Ahmad ibn Tulun, and features a unique spiral minaret. 3. The mosque has a large, octagonal courtyard surrounded by a portico with arcades of pointed arches. There is also an unusually tall minaret, over 70 meters in height, and the mosque walls are decorated with intricate carvings and inscriptions. 4. Instead of the traditional four facades, this mosque has eight sides to accommodate its unique spiral minaret. 5. Located in the heart of Old Cairo, the mosque has been well preserved throughout the centuries and remains a popular tourist destination. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun is a historic mosque in Cairo located in the historic Cairo region of Sayyida Zainab. Built in 876–879 AD, the mosque is the oldest surviving mosque in Cairo and is believed to be the oldest mosque in Egypt. A rare example of intentional and comprehensive architecture, the mosque was built by the Circassian-born Muslim ruler, Ahmad ibn Tulun, during the reign of the Abbasid Caliphate in Egypt. In spite of its long history, the mosque still stands and is considered a stunning example of the Abbasid period architecture. The mosque was commissioned by Tulun, the founder of Egypt's Tulunid Dynasty and the son of Byzantine Greek Christian mother. This unique place of worship was made in accordance with his plans and was built in a large circle with a diameter of more than 60 meters. It has a large central courtyard surrounded by arcaded sections and covered galleries, with minarets at each corner. Within the courtyard is a large open space for prayer, with an intricately tiled octagonal fountain in the center. The mosque is also home to a famous Al-Mu'izz, a 9th century papyrus Quran, a relic from the time of Ibn Tulun. The mosque today is open to the public and is a popular site of religious and archaeological tours. The mosque has a passionate history and remains an important site of Islamic history in the region. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Built in 876-793 CE, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun is the oldest mosque in Cairo that still stands today. 2. The mosque was originally a fortified palace and was gifted to its namesake by the great Abbasid caliph, al-Mamun. 3. The mosque has the oldest minaret in Egypt, with its spiral staircase winding up its sides. 4. The mosque's renowned minbar (pulpit) has been called one of the most beautiful in Egypt, with detailed carvings and even ancient inscriptions. 5. Ibn Tulun's mosque is also unique because of its peculiar hypostyle hall, where sixteen burjes (squinches) span its ceiling. 6. The mosque contains many ancient artifacts, such as mihrab (prayer niche), minbar, marble bases, and a ceramic fountain dating back to the 11th century. 7. Famous visitors to the mosque have included Napoleon Bonaparte, who visited in 1798, and Mark Twain, who wrote about the building in 1869. 8. In 2012, the mosque was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era