Sultan Hassan mosque is considered the finest piece of early Mamluk architecture in Cairo. Sultan Hassan, the Mamluk ruler, built this mosque between 1365 and 1363. The location of the Sultan Hassan mosque was so important because of its close location to the citadel of Salah El Din on the site of the Palace of Yalbugha al-Yahawws. Here are all info you need to know about Sultan Hassan mosque:
Sultan Hassan Mosque
History of Sultan Hassan Mosque
Sultan Hassan mosque is the largest mosque that has ever been built measuring 150m in length and covering an area of 7,906 sqm. The Madrasa of Sultan Hasan was constructed to include schools for all four of the Sunni doctrines of thought: Shafi’i, Hanbali, Hanafi, and Maliki. It used to house more than four hundred students.
Who is Sultan Hassan??
Sultan Hassan is the son of Al Nasser Mohamed Ibn Qalawoun. What is astonishing about him is that he ruler Egypt twice, once in 1347 when he was 13 years old and the second time was in 1356 until 1361. His father, El-Nasser Mohamed, was responsible for many monuments including his mosque in the citadel of Salah El-Din. What was great about the Sultan Hassan mosque is that he imported engineers from around the world to build such a historical monument. Sultan Hassan was assassinated shortly after the construction of the mosque.
The Construction of Sultan Hassan Mosque
Inside the mosque of Sultan Hassan, there is a courtyard surrounded by four iwans. The iwan is a vaulted hall with three high walls and an opening where the fourth wall has to be. It also has 4 facades and two main ones. The court of the mosque is about 34m long and 32m wide and at each corner of it, there is a door that leads to one of the four Madrasas. The biggest Madrasa is the Hanafiya one that is estimated at about 898 square meters.
There are four iwans in the Sultan Hassan mosque and the biggest among them is the Qibla iwan. The Minbar of Sultan Hassan mosque is covered with colored panels of marble decorated in its upper part by floral motifs. Behind the Mihrab, there is a mausoleum dome, which is about 21 square meters and its decoration is similar to that of the qibla iwan. There was a rumor that Sultan Hassan has been buried in that place.
The entrance of the Sultan Hassan mosque is considered the largest portal of any pre-modern Cairene Mosque-Madrasa complex in Egypt. Sultan Hassan intended to build four minarets but only three were built and survived. During the construction work, one of the minarets collapsed and killed a lot of innocents.
Some Unique Features About Sultan Hassan Mosque
- Sultan Hassan Mosque’s dome takes the shape of an egg.
- The location of the mausoleum is between the two minarets behind the prayer hall.
- The Design of the twin Minarets.
- Sultan Hassan mosque is considered the only instance of Chinoiserie in Mamluk architecture.
Interesting Facts about Sultan Hassan Mosque
Sultan Hassan ordered Prince Mohamed Ibn Baylik Al-Muhssani to supervise the construction of such an amazing Madrasa in 1361 A.D and the establishment took about 4 years.
Surprisingly, historians believed that the builders of the Sultan Hassan mosque used stones from the Surprisingly, historians believed that the builders of the Sultan Hassan mosque used stones from the Pyramids of Giza.
Suddenly Sultan Hassan disappeared and there was a rumor that he was killed. Then his functionaries, Bashir Al-Gamdar finished the construction. It is believed that the prince and his officials revolted against Sultan Hassan and he escaped from the citadel to Cairo. He was imprisoned and never seen again. He had 10 sons in addition to 6 daughters.
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FAQ
What Should I Wear While Being in Egypt?
You should wear whatever you want. It is advised to wear something light from cotton or linen, comfortable and put on sunblock during your time in Egypt in the summer and wear comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the sandy terrain.
What to Pack for Your Egypt Tour?
You should bring a brimmed hat and sunglasses if you not used to the Egyptian sun &pack everything you could ever need and put in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
Are All Nile Cruises Available at Any Time?
Yes, it is available all years. as the Nile from Aswan to Luxor takes three to four days of sailing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the total cost of 600$ and the Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan take four to five days in Saturday, Monday and Thursday for the coast of 650$.
Why book Trips in Egypt?
We have experience in vacation planning for more than 10 years & our staff consists of the most professional operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort create the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time advisors to fit your every possible need during your time in egypt. we always keep in mind that your safety & comfort are our main priority until you return home.
Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
Yes, it is absolutely safe to travel to egypt, You will feel secure in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is very peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt and construct an entire environment dedicated for ensuring the lives of all tourists.
What are Egypt's Visa Requirements?
They are very simples, If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries(check the link), have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD entry fee in cash. As for the E-Visa for 30 days, you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could be one of the countries eligible for a free visa for 90 days.
What is the Weather is Like?
The temperature of Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c, Summer in Egypt is somehow hot and winter is cool and mild but sometimes it becomes cold at night. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 ¡ÆC in the wintertime to 23 ¡ÆC in the summertime and average high temperatures vary from 17 ¡ÆC in the wintertime to 32 ¡ÆC in the summertime while the temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
What is the Best Time of Visit Egypt?
It is known the best time to travel to Egypt is in the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a bit tropical, a warm atmosphere with a winter breeze. You will also be notified a week before your trip if the weather is unsafe or if any changes have been made.
Should I Give Tips in Egypt?
It is totally up to you, but if you choose to you can tip the servers at your restaurant 5-10% by handing it to them directly and 5 Egyptian Pounds as a general tip of anyone.
Can I Enter the Pyramids?
Yes, you can enter the pyramids for the small fee of 20$.
How to Enjoy Egypt During Ramadan?
Ramadan is a special time of year for Muslims that should be celebrated by non-Muslims and feel the essence of the Islamic culture. You can fast with the Muslim or just observe but you are always welcome to join the celebrations and festivals.
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