Islamic heritage · Cairo
Sultan Hassan Mosque
One of the grandest monuments of Mamluk Cairo, rising opposite the Citadel on Salah al-Din Square in the heart of historic Islamic Cairo.
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The story
Sultan an-Nasir Hassan, a grandson of the Mamluk ruler Qalawun, began this monument in 1356, and work continued into the early 1360s. It brings together a congregational mosque, a madrasa and a mausoleum. Four vaulted iwans open onto the central courtyard, and four madrasas occupy its corners, where the four Sunni schools of law were taught. The complex is known for its towering entrance portal and for its southern minaret, rising about 84 m and counted as the tallest of the Mamluk period in Cairo. It forms part of Historic Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Good to know
- Construction began in 1356 under Sultan an-Nasir Hassan and continued into the early 1360s.
- The complex combines a congregational mosque, a madrasa and a mausoleum around an open courtyard framed by four iwans.
- The four madrasas in the corners were dedicated to teaching the four Sunni schools of law.
- The southern minaret reaches about 84 m above street level, among the tallest in historic Cairo.
- The building is roughly 150 m long, making it one of the largest mosques of its era.
Visiting tips
Per the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities site: listed hours are 9:00 to 17:00 daily, and foreign-visitor admission is EGP 220 (EGP 110 students), which includes the neighbouring Al-Rifa'i Mosque. Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is advised, and shoes come off in prayer areas. Please check hours and prices before visiting.