Sultan Hassan Mosque

Egypt is home to some of the world’s grandest mosques, with some of the most detailed and dazzling located in Cairo. The Sultan Hassan Mosque, situated near the city's famous and majestic Citadel, is one of Cairo's most impressive Islamic structures.  
Sultan Hassan bin Mohammed bin Qala'oun was only 13 years old when he first ascended to the throne. After being deposed and imprisoned for three years, he reclaimed power and built his eponymous mosque in 1256 A.D.  The massive Sultan Hassan Mosque complex measures 26,000 square feet and is also home to a madrasa, or religious school, containing educational facilities for each of the four main Sunni sects of Islam. An estimated 30,000 Dirhams was spent each day to build the Sultan Hassan, a substantial amount of money that provided the structure’s impressive stony exterior and bold, extravagant interior.

Practical Info

The Sultan Hassan Mosque is open to the public daily from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., although it does close for prayers. It is located in the vicinity of the Citadel. Visitors can take the metro to the Mohammed Farid stop and then take a taxi to the Citadel at a cost of about 10 Egyptian pounds. Upon arrival, travelers should ask their drive to point them toward Sultan Hassan. Men, women and children must dress modestly; women must cover their heads and everyone must take off their shoes before entering the mosque.