Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, Cairo (must see)

Constructed in the mid-14th century, the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan stands as one of the world's largest mosques, boasting impressive architectural feats given its historical context.

This Muslim place of worship, colossal in size, also exhibits an exquisite sense of elegance. It was commissioned by An-Nasir Hassan, the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, and completed in 1359, representing a remarkable achievement in architecture for its era. Stretching 150 meters (492 feet) in length, with its tallest minaret soaring 68 meters (223 feet) above Cairo's ancient city, it ranks among the largest mosques globally.

The grandeur of this mosque-madrassa reflects the tumultuous life of its patron, Sultan Hassan. Ascending to power at the tender age of 13, he experienced multiple periods of deposition and reinstatement. Furthermore, tragedy struck during construction when one of the four planned minarets collapsed, resulting in the loss of three hundred lives. Sadly, the Sultan never lived to witness the completion of the building that bears his name, as he was assassinated.

The mosque's layout includes an open courtyard with a central fountain, enclosed by four iwans (rectangular spaces open on one side). Doorways at each corner of the courtyard provide access to four madrasas, educational institutions where the teachings of the four Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence were disseminated. Each madrasa comprises a courtyard, an iwan, as well as student quarters and adjacent service facilities. The mosque features two minarets constructed in the Mamluk architectural style.

Why You Should Visit:
A great monument representing the climax of Islamic architecture in Egypt.
The intricate building and its understated decorations are lovely to see from the inside and impressive from the outside.
Despite the thick walls, the racket of Cairo traffic still penetrates a bit, but this is likely among the coolest & quietest spots you'll visit in the whole city.

Tip:
Leave your shoes at the entrance and prepare for white socks to turn black, even though the interior looks/feels clean.
Entry is free, but give the man who looks after your shoes a tip.
Ladies, ideally you cover your head.