Alabaster Mosque and The Citadel

Alabaster mosque of Muhammed Aly is a must seen place in Cairo, it was built by Muhammed Aly inside Salah El Din Citadel, Citadel is a must seen place in Cairo, it was built by Saladi, there You can visit The Alabaster mosque of Mohamed Aly famous also as citadel mosque or the white mosque.

Saladin and the Cairo Citadel
Saladin, whose real name was Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, was a Kurdish Muslim leader who became the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria, founding the Ayyubid family. He is shrouded in legend, celebrated not only for his military prowess, but also for his wisdom, generosity and chivalry.

In 1176, Saladin began the construction of the Cairo Citadel, an imposing fortress that still dominates the city skyline today. The Citadel was not only a military fortress, but also a symbol of Saladin's power and greatness.

Situated on a rocky hill called Muqattam, the Citadel offered a strategic view of the entire city of Cairo. You can almost hear the wind blowing through the ancient stones, carrying with it the whispers of centuries of history. The fortress was designed not only to defend the city from Crusader invaders, but also to serve as a royal residence.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Citadel is how it reflects Egypt’s multicultural heritage. As you walked through its walls, you could see the influence of Islamic architecture mixed with elements of European fortresses, truly bridging the gap between East and West.

Although Saladin did not live to see his grand vision come to fruition (he died in 1193), the Citadel remained the heart of Egyptian government for nearly 700 years. Can you imagine the sultans, viziers, and soldiers who walked those corridors, making decisions that would shape the course of history?

Today, Saladin’s Citadel is one of Cairo’s most visited sites, a monument that tells the story of not just one man, but an entire civilization. Walking within its walls is like taking a journey through time, hearing the echo of past battles and the whisper of ancient secrets.

The story of Saladin and his Citadel is a wonderful example of how the past lives on in the present, reminding us of the richness of our cultural heritage and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

Mohamed Aly, Ruled Egypt starting from 1805, He built his mosque inside the citadel, The mosque is known as the alabaster mosque due to the material that covers its exterior, the Muhammad Ali Mosque is located on Mount Muqatam, in the Saladin Citadel. The mosque was built between 1830 and 1857 by order of Muhammad Ali in memory of his firstborn son, who died in 1816. The architects were inspired by the New Mosque in Istanbul and the foundations were built using part of the material from the buildings demolished for its construction.

The temple was built following the model of Ottoman mosques, with a rectangular plan surmounted by a large central dome and several semi-domes delimited by elegant minarets.

Walking through the mosque
The Alabaster Mosque is an oasis of peace in the chaotic center of Cairo. Its enormous prayer hall is decorated with beautiful mosaics and embedded precious stones, while the floor is covered with carpets that try to muffle the sound of visitors' footsteps.

In the inner courtyard, one of the most surprising elements is the clock that Louis-Philippe I gave to Egypt in exchange for the obelisk that today stands in the center of the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Paradoxically, the clock has never worked.