Saladin citadel and Mohamed Ali mosuqe
Saladin citadel and Mohamed Ali mosuqe
Located at the highest point in Cairo atop the Saladin Citadel, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali (popularly known as the “Alabaster Mosque”) is one of Egypt’s most famous historic landmarks.
Saladin Citadel (Al-Qalaa): Built in 1176 CE by Salah al-Din to protect Cairo from Crusader armies, this massive medieval fortress served as the seat of Egypt’s government and royal residence for nearly 700 years. The complex features fortified towers, military museums, and multiple historical mosques spanning several dynasties.
Mosque of Muhammad Ali: Commissioned in 1830 by Muhammad Ali Pasha in the classic Ottoman imperial style, the mosque features dramatic pencil-thin minarets soaring 84 meters high and a massive central dome. Its interior and lower exterior walls are clad in polished alabaster stone, giving the mosque its signature name.