Mosque · Mamluk · 1356
Four iwans around an open courtyard.
Cairo
A vast courtyard and four iwans in a Mamluk mosque and madrasa beside Al-Rifai, below Cairo Citadel.
Get to know this place
Mosque · Mamluk · Built 1356
Sultan Hassan began his mosque and madrasa in 1356 opposite the Citadel, combining prayer, teaching for the four Sunni schools of law and a mausoleum intended for himself. He was killed before the project was completed and was never buried there.
The towering entrance and passage lead into a courtyard framed by four iwans, the largest facing the direction of prayer. Marble and inscriptions draw attention within an architecture whose impact also comes from open space. Beyond the courtyard, schools and students’ rooms once supported a daily life of study.
Details worth pausing for
Courtyard and fountain
Four iwans
Prayer iwan
Mausoleum chamber
Hours, prices and practical details
Prices in EGP and subject to change. Confirm with the venue before visiting.
Visits pause during prayer times, so avoid Friday noon prayers.
Tips and things to know
Pair it with Al-Rifai opposite.
Check the shared ticket before paying for separate admissions.
Good to know
Address and directions
Salah al-Din Square, Al-Khalifa, Cairo
Nearest landmark: Al-Khalifa
The best route depends on your starting point. Navigate to Salah al-Din Square, Al-Khalifa, Cairo; for Historic Cairo sites, expect to walk the final part through narrow streets.
Get directions ↗The places closest to Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrasa, to make a day of it.
Al-Rifai MosqueRoyal burials in Mamluk-inspired architecture.100 m · about 1 min on foot
Amir Taz PalaceA palace courtyard with a present-day cultural role.400 m · about 6 min on foot
Cairo CitadelA seat of power for centuries, now one of Cairo’s great viewpoints600 m · about 8 min on foot
Distances and times are estimates from where each place sits on the map; the actual route may differ.
Stops close to each other, in an order we tried. Follow it as it is, or make it your own.
Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis · CC BY-SA 2.0
A suggested route · Architecture
A day among Cairo’s grandest mosques: start with the Citadel’s view over the city, descend to Sultan Hassan and al-Rifai, and continue to the vast courtyard of Ibn Tulun and the Gayer-Anderson house.
Page last updated:
