Aqsunqur Mosque, Mosque in Islamic Cairo, Egypt
The Aqsunqur Mosque features a central courtyard surrounded by four arcades with three main entrances leading to different prayer sections.
Built in 1347 by emir Shams ad-Din Aqsunqur during the Mamluk sultanate, the mosque underwent major renovations between 1652 and 1654 under Ibrahim Agha.
The mosque functions as a funerary complex containing mausoleums of its founder, his sons, and several children of the Bahri Mamluk sultan.
The mosque reopened to visitors in May 2015 following a six-year restoration project conducted by the Aga Khan Trust and World Monuments Fund.
The interior walls display distinctive Iznik blue tiles added during Ottoman renovations, which led to its alternative name, the Blue Mosque.
Location: Cairo Governorate
Inception: 1347
Architects: Mimar Sinan
Architectural style: Islamic architecture
Part of: Islamic Cairo
GPS coordinates: 30.03611,31.26028
Latest update: May 17, 2025 10:26
Cairo preserves an architectural heritage spanning over fifteen centuries. This collection includes religious buildings, traditional houses, and utilitarian structures that reflect the Fatimid, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods. Mosques such as Sultan Hassan with its 68-meter minaret stand alongside ancient homes with mashrabiya windows, while the 9th-century Nilometer highlights the river's importance in Egyptian society. The route passes through various historic districts, from El Khalifa with its medieval monuments to Ottoman houses from the 16th and 17th centuries like Bayt Al-Suhaymi or those housing the Gayer-Anderson Museum. Aqsunqur Mosque stands out with its Iznik tiles showcasing floral motifs, a legacy of Ottoman influence. The City of the Dead, a cemetery stretching four kilometers, illustrates the continuity between burial sites and inhabited areas. Green spaces like Al-Azhar Park offer views of a dense city where traditions blend with everyday life.
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