Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
مسجد ومدرسة السلطان حسن
A pinnacle of 14th-century Mamluk architecture, with a vast cross-shaped courtyard and four towering vaulted halls that leave visitors awestruck, standing at the foot of the Citadel.
The Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan was built in 1356–1363 and was one of the largest mosques in the world at the time. Its exterior walls rise about 36 m, and its minaret reaches 68 m. At its heart are a square open courtyard and four enormous vaulted halls (iwans), each used for teaching one of the four schools of Sunni Islamic law. Behind the mihrab is the sultan's tomb, decorated with exquisite marble and inscriptions. Right next door is the Al-Rifa'i Mosque, built in the early 20th century. A walkway separates the two buildings, and one ticket usually covers both (about EGP 200–300). It is open roughly 08:00–17:00, with visits paused during prayer times. Shoes must be removed, and women should wear a headscarf, long sleeves and a long skirt.
Opening hours
Approx. 08:00–17:00 (paused during services)
Nearby sights
- Al-Rifa'i Mosque
- Citadel of Saladin
- Gayer-Anderson Museum
- Mosque of Ibn Tulun
- Bab Zuweila
- Al-Azhar Park
- Abdeen Palace
- Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo