Sinan Pasha Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Bulaq, Egypt
Sinan Pasha Mosque is an Ottoman house of worship in Cairo's Bulaq district, featuring a square prayer hall topped by eleven shallow domes and a gallery space beneath them. A pencil-shaped minaret rises from the southern corner, marking the building's silhouette against the neighborhood skyline.
Built in 1571 under the patronage of Governor Koca Sinan Pasha, this mosque originally stood directly on the Nile's banks. The river later shifted westward over time, leaving the structure far from the water it once overlooked.
The mosque blends architectural styles from Egypt and the Ottoman Empire, visible in its three decorated entrance gates with intricate plaster work. Visitors can observe how different building traditions came together in the structure's design and surface details.
The site remains an active place of worship and welcomes visitors during certain times, though respecting prayer schedules is important. The narrow doorways and interior passages make it less accessible for everyone, so plan your visit accordingly.
The original religious complex included three trading inns and preserved a hammam bath that remains functional today. The building also drew design ideas from the nearby Fadawiya Mausoleum, creating a connection between two important structures in the neighborhood.
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