Ibn Tulun Mosque

Completed in 879 AD for Ahmad Ibn Tulun, the Ibn Tulun Mosque stands as one of Cairo’s longest-surviving Islamic monuments. Covering 6 acres (2.5 hectares), the mosque features a spiral minaret reminiscent of the Great Mosque of Samarra and crenelated arcades that encircle a vast, open prayer space. This simple, serene structure was designed to be the center of Ibn Tulun’s new capital city. Today, visitors can explore the expansive courtyard and admire the architectural details that have endured for over a millennium.