Overview:

The Mosque of Ibn Tulun is an ancient mosque located in Cairo, Egypt, and is considered one of the earliest and most impressive mosques of the Islamic world. Built in 876–879, the mosque was commissioned by the Abbasid Arabic ruler Ahmad ibn Tulun. The mosque is a notable example of Abbasid architecture, featuring a large rectangular structure surrounded by a massive rectangular wall, built with various intricate inscriptions, a dome, and a minaret. It is one of the oldest surviving mosques in the world and is one of Cairo’s most important landmarks. Today, the mosque serves as a popular spot for visitors and worshipers alike. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun is a renowned example of early Islamic architecture. Located in the historic region of Cairo, it is the oldest mosque in the city and served as the blueprint for many other mosques in the region. It was built in 879 AD by the Abbasid ruler Ibn Tulun, who chose to blend both the Western architectural style of his day with traditional Arabic design elements. The mosque is notable for its distinct minaret tower, which stands at 59 meters tall and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. The main building is constructed in the form of a square with four iwans (porches), and is decorated with intricate geometric patterns and calligraphy on the walls. Inside, the mosque is renowned for its unique layout, which is derived from the inner courtyard surrounded by arcades and galleries, with a shallow pool in the center. The mosque also houses many valuable historical documents, including ancient Islamic coins, manuscripts, and parchments. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Mosque of Ibn Tulun is located in the historic city of Cairo in Egypt. The mosque was built between 876 and 879 CE by the Abbasid Governor of Egypt, Ahmad Ibn Tulun, and was the first to use the spiral minaret in Islamic architecture. Its layout is based on the Abbasid model found in Iraq, though its design incorporates Sudanese and other elements. The Ibn Tulun Mosque displays an iconic style of later Maghreb mosques, before its widespread use in Ottoman Turkey and the Middle East. Ibn Tulun, the first ruler of Egypt without ties to the ruling Abbasid family, was known for his piety and constructed the mosque as a testament to his strong relationship with the Islamic faith. The total area of the mosque covers 83,000 square meters and includes gardens, courtyards, and a large prayer hall. The prayer hall is circular, surrounded by eight aisles of colonnades that support its large dome. The central courtyard is surrounded by a series of arcades and a perimeter wall with five turrets. The Mosque of Ibn Tulun has been a model for Egyptian architecture and has remained largely unchanged since its construction, aside from some restoration and the addition of a mausoleum for Ibn Tulun. Its most iconic feature is its original minaret, or Spiral Minaret, which stands 31 meters tall and is decorated with alternating red and white stripes. The Mosque of Ibn Tulun is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural value and contribution to the history of Islamic architecture. It is considered one of the most important architectural sites in Cairo and is still used as a place of prayer today. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Mosque of Ibn Tulun is the oldest mosque in Cairo, and the only surviving example of the early Abbasid period Mosque architecture in the city. 2. The complex of the Mosque of Ibn Tulun was built by the Abbasid governor of Egypt, Ahmad Ibn Tulun, between 876 and 879 CE. 3. The mosque is also notable as the first Mosque to have been constructed in the square form. 4. The mosque is based on a circular plan and is only two stories high with an inner courtyard. 5. The mosque is topped by a series of five small minarets that are each 51 meters high. 6. Inside the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, the marble columns and walls are covered with inscriptions in Kufic script. 7. The iconic spiral minaret of the mosque is one of its most noteworthy features and is said to have been modelled after the Great Mosque of Samarra in Iraq. 8. The mosque is open to Muslims for prayer five times a day and is also open to Non-Muslims for sightseeing purposes in the afternoons. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era