Ibn Tulun Mosque Travel Guide: Top Sights in Egypt, Tours & Travel

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Ibn Tulun Mosque- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Religious Beliefs; Egypt; 5 Reviews

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Suggested Duration: 3 hours

The Ibn Tulun Mosque, situated in Cairo, Egypt, was constructed between 876 and 879 under the direction of Ahmad ibn Tulun, the Abbasid governor of Egypt. It is the oldest mosque in Cairo that has retained its original form. The mosque's design draws inspiration from 9th-century Samarra, Iraq, featuring an expansive open courtyard surrounded by roofed sections divided by rows of pointed arches adorned with carved stucco. A distinctive spiral minaret with an external staircase adds to its architectural allure. The mosque's main prayer hall houses a central mihrab (prayer niche) and several additional mihrabs added in later periods. Adjacent to the mosque are historic mansions that now function as the Gayer-Anderson Museum, offering insights into the region's cultural and architectural legacy.

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Reviews of Ibn Tulun Mosque

Bahaa

5
Reviewed: 2024-08-08

One of the biggest oldest and most beautiful mosques in the amazing old city of Cairo. (Almost 1200 years old)
Linda Yasin

5
Reviewed: 2024-08-02

This is a must visit if you’re in Cairo, Egypt. There’s so much culture preserved in this city after so many years that fascinates me. I do recommend taking a cab to this place if you don’t have someone you know already residing in Egypt to guide you because it can get a little bit hectic to go there given the areas surrounding it are not very safe. I think you should climb the minaret in order not to miss out on the amazing view. One thing I didn’t like in Cairo is they don’t ask you to cover your hair when you enter the mosque which is sad as compared to all the other countries that I’ve travelled to they’ve always asked me to cover my hair in the churches and mosques.
Philip Ian Butler

4
Reviewed: 2024-05-10

Fascinating place that's over a thousand years old (you can see from some of the stones worn away from people washing before prayer!). Don't forget to climb the minaret behind (you must exit the mosque and turn left - you must be relatively fit and have a head for heights 😄). My only small quibble is they could provide more information about the history, but go visit if you're visiting the Geyer Anderson museum next door. Recommended!
Khaled Diab

4
Reviewed: 2024-04-30

Middle age vibes, perfect for people who like history (Architecture heritage), Strongly recommend, free to enter. The disadvantages are the time restrictions and there are many closed areas that can be visited, and the floor is not clean and full of dust.
Ahmed Yousri

3
Reviewed: 2024-01-12

Ahmed bin Tulun Mosque is a place that provides an incredible sense of tranquility, and the best thing is that the entry is free. You'll feel like you've traveled back 1,200 years in history. This mosque is considered the oldest mosque in Egypt that has preserved its original state. The mosque closes at 5 p.m., so I recommend visiting at least two hours before that to have enough time to explore and go up the minaret and enjoy the mosque from above. Unfortunately, we arrived late and missed the opportunity to go up. I highly recommend going and experiencing the serenity and the historically comforting atmosphere.