Islamic heritage · Cairo
Muhammad Ali Mosque
An Ottoman-style mosque inside the Citadel of Saladin and one of the most recognisable landmarks on Cairo's skyline, known as the Alabaster Mosque.
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The story
Muhammad Ali Pasha commissioned the mosque on the site of older Mamluk-era buildings inside the Citadel. Work began in the 1830s and the decoration was completed under Said Pasha in 1857. It follows the classical Ottoman style of Istanbul's great mosques, in contrast to the earlier Cairene tradition. It is nicknamed the Alabaster Mosque because the lower walls and the courtyard are clad in alabaster.
Good to know
- The central dome is ringed by four semi-domes and smaller corner domes, a layout typical of great Ottoman mosques.
- The twin minarets rise to over 80 metres, among the tallest in Egypt.
- The clock tower in the courtyard was a gift from France's King Louis Philippe, in exchange for the Luxor obelisk that now stands in Paris's Place de la Concorde.
- Before the mosque was finished, alabaster panels from its upper walls were removed and reused in the palaces of Abbas I.
- Muhammad Ali Pasha is buried in a tomb inside the mosque, in the western corner of the prayer hall.
Visiting tips
Entry is with the general Citadel ticket, with no separate mosque fee; the ministry lists daily hours of 8:00-16:00. Dress modestly and remove shoes before entering. Hours and prices can change, so please check before visiting.