Al-Aqmar Mosque, Fatimid mosque in Al Gamaleya, Egypt
The Al-Aqmar Mosque is a 12th-century house of prayer standing on Al-Muizz Street in Cairo's historic district. The building features a prayer courtyard with shallow domes, prayer halls, and a decorated prayer niche with historical inscriptions carved into it.
The mosque was built in 1125 during the Fatimid era when this district held religious importance for the city. It later underwent major renovation in 1397 under Sultan Barquq, reflecting evolving construction practices.
The mosque takes its name from the green tone of its facade, with 'aqmar' meaning green in Arabic. Visitors notice today how the carved details and the building's integration into the tight neighborhood reflect the craftsmanship of its makers.
The building sits in a lively historic quarter with narrow streets and is best reached on foot. Visitors should know this is an active place of prayer and respectful behavior is expected from all who enter.
The structure has a triangular shape because it needed to align with both the street direction and the prayer orientation. This was an inventive architectural solution to the constraints of the medieval city layout.
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