Mosque of Sultan al-Muayyad

Mosque of Sultan al-Muayyad

The Mosque of Sultan al-Muayyad is located in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Construction began in 1415 and took six years to complete in 1421. Its complex includes a mosque and a madrasa (Islamic theological school).

The Mosque of Sultan al-Muayyad is situated next to the Bab Zuweila gate. Its construction has a rather storied origin. The builder was a Sultan of the Mamluk dynasty who was once imprisoned here and endured great hardship; he vowed that if he ever regained power, he would transform this prison into a school and mosque for scholars. After regaining his freedom, he fulfilled his promise by spending lavishly to convert the prison into one of the most beautiful mosques and madrasas in Cairo. Later, the Sultan and his family were also buried within the mosque.

The layout of the Mosque of Sultan al-Muayyad is largely similar to other mosques in Cairo, featuring white marble walls, tall minarets, and a spacious prayer hall. The walls, ceilings, and floors are adorned with marble in various colors, sourced from different quarries, showcasing exquisite design that is truly breathtaking. The twin minarets of the mosque even rise higher than the nearby Bab Zuweila gate—the largest gate in the area—making it hard to believe that this grand structure was once a dilapidated prison.

Sultan Al-Mu'ayyad Sheikh Mosque

Reason to visit: The most legendary mosque in Cairo

Continent: Africa【Africa】

Country/Region: Egypt[Egypt]

Province/State: Cairo Governorate [Cairo Governorate]

City: Cairo [Cairo]