Church & Religious Site
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
📍 Ibn Tulun Square, Cairo, Egypt
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4.4/ 5.0
★★★★☆
Introduction
Founded in the 9th century by Ahmad ibn Tulun, this is Cairo's oldest surviving mosque in near-original form. A vast courtyard is ringed by pointed brick arcades, and its external spiral minaret recalls the great mosques of Samarra. Climbing the minaret offers wide views over old Cairo, a favourite stop for architecture lovers.
✨ Highlights
1
Spiral Minaret
The unique spiral minaret with its external staircase echoes the great mosques of Samarra and can be climbed with a small ticket.
2
Vast Courtyard Arcades
A huge open sahn ringed by pointed arches creates one of Cairo's most photogenic plays of light and shadow.
3
Original 9th-Century Fabric
Largely unaltered for over a thousand years, the brick architecture preserves the austere grandeur of the Tulunid era.
4
Old Cairo Panorama
From the minaret or elevated passages you can gaze across the rooftops of historic Cairo.
🛈 Practical Info
→Opening Hours：Usually open daily in daytime, closed to visits during prayers; verify with official sources
→Tickets：Mosque free; minaret climb may cost extra, confirm on site
→Duration：1-2 hours
→Getting There：By metro or taxi to Ibn Tulun Square, beside the Gayer-Anderson Museum
💡 Tips
• Entry is generally free, but avoid prayer times, especially Friday noon, when the hall is reserved for worship.
• Remove your shoes before entering; women should bring a headscarf and cover shoulders and knees.
• Climbing the minaret usually requires a separate small ticket and steep steps - not for the faint of heart.
• Early morning and late afternoon light makes the courtyard arcades especially photogenic.
FAQ
Any practical tips for visiting Mosque of Ibn Tulun?
Entry is generally free, but avoid prayer times, especially Friday noon, when the hall is reserved for worship. Remove your shoes before entering; women should bring a headscarf and cover shoulders and knees.
Information on this page is compiled from public sources. Opening hours, ticket prices and other details may change — please verify with official sources before your visit.
