Mosque and Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

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Explore Mosque and Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

Although this Muslim place of worship is enormous, it maintains its elegance and beauty. Al-Nasir Hassan, who was a Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, ordered the construction of the Mosque Madrassa, and the construction process was completed in 1359; it was such an impressive architectural achievement for its time. The Mosque is 150 meters (about 492.13 ft) in length and has the tallest minarets towering 68 meters high above Cairo’s Old City, “Al Fustat.” It’s considered one of the largest mosques not only in Egypt but also in the whole world.

The Mosque of Sultan Hassan is considered one of the most amazing and brilliant attractions of the Middle Ages in Cairo City, and it is an important monument for architecture lovers to see. This grand mosque from the 14th century is an outstanding example of Mamluk architecture, and it’s also one of the most beautiful mosques in Cairo. It’s a must-see attraction while you are on any trip to Cairo; it’s also near Khan El Khalili Bazaar, which you can easily visit with the Mosque of Sultan Hassan and enjoy a wonderful day there.

Complicated stonework, huge, conveyed chambers, and geometric engravements completely ornament the Sultan Hassan Mosque. The Mosque is considered an important indication of the power and strength of the Mamluk rule, as it was built from massive blocks of stones, and its walls are 38 meters high. During the construction of the mosque, the Black Plague was widespread all over Egypt. Still, it couldn’t stop the construction process of this huge project, as several craftsmen from all over the empire took part in building such a high-cost project. It’s a grand mosque, which surely leaves an impression on all visitors.

Mosque Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

The Interior Exhibition of Sultan Hassan Mosque

The Mosque Madrassa of Sultan Hassan has an amazing entrance, which is 38 meters high, which makes it always leaves an unforgettable impression on all visitors. This entrance ends in a dark corridor into a very wide, open courtyard with mosaic- flagged floors. This breathtaking courtyard has a luminous fountain and feckless conveyed halls on all four corners.

There are entrances at the four corners of the courtyard, which end in four schools or “Madrassa,” where anyone can learn in the four Sunni Islamic schools. There is an especially amazing sanctuary, or “Mihrab,” which is a place pointing in the direction of Mecca and is ornamented with marble and golden engraving. It’s regarded as one of the most amazing Mihrabs in Egypt.

There is an especially amazing sanctuary, or “Mihrab,” which is a place pointing in the direction of Mecca and is ornamented with marble and golden engraving. It’s regarded as one of the most amazing Mihrabs in Egypt. There is a bronze door leading to the Sultan’s grave, which is thought to stand empty. Sultan Hassan was murdered before finishing the grave, and his body was never found.

Interior of Mosque Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

Inside the Mosque Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

Historical Facts about Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

During the war between Rebels and the Muslim ruler, Rebels once used the high platforms of the mosque to launch attacks on the ruler’s seat at the citadel. In response to that, some Sultans tried to destroy the mosque, but all their attempts failed because of the strength and solidness of the mosque’s structure.
In 1517, during the war between Mamluks and Ottomans, the last Mamluk ruler, “Sultan Tuman Bay” took the mosque as a refuge to protect himself while the Ottoman army was about to enter Cairo, but the Ottoman army bombarded the mosque with cannonballs, but later and after that, public pressure obliged them to maintain the damages of the mosque.

Historical details of Sultan Hassan Mosque Madrassa

Historical Facts about Sultan Hassan Mosque

Location of Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrassa

Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrassa is considered one of the largest buildings in all of Cairo. It faces directly onto a large Maydan (public square), which was formerly called Maydan Rumaila, but these days it’s commonly known as Maydan Salah Al-Din, which had a great central importance to Mamluk ceremonial rituals because the Mosque Complex was constructed on the space just below the citadel, royal seats, and military garrisons and forts which were the true and real source and indication of power and strength of authority in Cairo.

The Mosque Complex was also very near to the site of the square of horse racing and the well-known horse market, which is no longer found now; all of this played a vital role in Mamluk military tracking because they, in addition to anything else, were the most effective and skilled horse riders warriors since the Mongols.

Location map of Sultan Hassan Mosque Madrassa

Location of Sultan Hassan Mosque Madrassa

A wonderful visit to Mosque Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

The Mosque of Sultan Hassan is an outstanding structure that is well worth a visit. The ticket includes entrance to Sultan Hassan Mosque and the next-door AlRifa’iMosque or the Royal Mosque of Cairo; this provides an interesting and unforgettable experience to watch them each side-by-side. You can compare their similarities in spite of their age differences. If you would like to know more about Cairo’s Islamic history and the capital’s monuments, check out our Tour packages or Day Tours and choose a tour of Cairo that suits your time and budget.