The mosque of Ibn Tulun is considered to be the oldest Egyptian mosques that have survived with its original shape and it is also the largest one in Cairo. It was built between AD 876 and 879 by Ahmed Ibn Tulun, who was a soldier among the troops of Samarra and was promoted to rule Egypt between 868 and 883AD. Through our article, you will know:
The mosque is well known for its terrific architecture and unique Minaret. It is a rare example where Europeans admitted its influence on the development of many features of their architecture and that is why it is known all around the world with its exceptional background. The main elements inside including the pointed arch, the pier, and wall battlements formed the essential ingredients of the birth of Gothic architecture. This architecture led Europe to the Renaissance.
Ahmed Ibn Tulun was the founder of the Tulunid dynasty that ruled Egypt & Syria between 868 and 905. He was sent to Egypt as governor by the Abbasid caliph in 868. He became a virtually independent ruler by evicting the caliph fiscal agent, Ibn al-Mudabbir. Ahmed Ibn Tulun established a large military force and his main target was to establish an efficient administration in Egypt. He built a new capital, al-Qata’i, which is located north of the old capital of Egypt “Fustat”. What is truly fanciful about him is that he was the first ruler since the Ptolemaic Pharaohs to make Egypt an independent political power again. He was the son of a Turkish slave owned by the Abbasid Caliph al-Ma’mun from which he reached his great power in addition to founding the Tulunid Dynasty of Egypt. He set the tone for later Egypt-based Islamic regimes, from the Ikhshidids to the Mamluk Sultanate of Cairo.
The Great Mosque of Ibn Tulun is the third congregational mosque to be built in greater Cairo. It is about 26,318 square meters in size and that is why it is considered the third-largest mosque all around the world. The mosque was damaged as it was used as a shelter for the North African pilgrims who wanted to go to the Hijaz in the 12th century. Luckily, it was restored and refunded by Alam al-Din Sanjar al-Dawadar at the behest of Mamluk Sultan Lajin in 1296. It is a very important center of tourism because of its features which reflect the Abbasid art particularly concerning the minaret, the great rectangular piers with engaged corner columns and other features by Samarra mosque in present-day Iraq.
Around the mosque, there is a huge enclosure, which measures around 118 x 138 meters. There are also narrow enclosed wings “Ziyadas” surrounding the mosque from its three sides. Within the northern Ziyada, there is the famous Minaret. This minaret is connected with the mosque by way of passage. There are about 42 doors that enable you to get into the mosque. The courtyard “Sahn” is a square and it is surrounded by covered porticoes, each consisting of two aisles of pointed arcades raised on strong piers, and overlooking its open center. There are three sections inside the mosque: the praying hall, the Mihrab, and the Minber.
The most fascinating thing about the mosque of Ibn Tulun is that it was kept in its original state and a lot of procedures have been taken to restore its damage caused by the natural decay or fire. Here are some changes related to the construction of the mosque:
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You should wear whatever you want. It is advised to wear something light from cotton or linen, comfortable and put on sunblock during your time in Egypt in the summer and wear comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the sandy terrain.
You should bring a brimmed hat and sunglasses if you not used to the Egyptian sun &pack everything you could ever need and put in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
Yes, it is available all years. as the Nile from Aswan to Luxor takes three to four days of sailing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the total cost of 600$ and the Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan take four to five days in Saturday, Monday and Thursday for the coast of 650$.
We have experience in vacation planning for more than 10 years & our staff consists of the most professional operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort create the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time advisors to fit your every possible need during your time in egypt. we always keep in mind that your safety & comfort are our main priority until you return home.
Yes, it is absolutely safe to travel to egypt, You will feel secure in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is very peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt and construct an entire environment dedicated for ensuring the lives of all tourists.
They are very simples, If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries(check the link), have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD entry fee in cash. As for the E-Visa for 30 days, you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could be one of the countries eligible for a free visa for 90 days.
The temperature of Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c, Summer in Egypt is somehow hot and winter is cool and mild but sometimes it becomes cold at night. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 ¡ÆC in the wintertime to 23 ¡ÆC in the summertime and average high temperatures vary from 17 ¡ÆC in the wintertime to 32 ¡ÆC in the summertime while the temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is known the best time to travel to Egypt is in the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a bit tropical, a warm atmosphere with a winter breeze. You will also be notified a week before your trip if the weather is unsafe or if any changes have been made.
It is totally up to you, but if you choose to you can tip the servers at your restaurant 5-10% by handing it to them directly and 5 Egyptian Pounds as a general tip of anyone.
Yes, you can enter the pyramids for the small fee of 20$.
Ramadan is a special time of year for Muslims that should be celebrated by non-Muslims and feel the essence of the Islamic culture. You can fast with the Muslim or just observe but you are always welcome to join the celebrations and festivals.
Trips In Egypt was founded in 2002 when it launched, since then the company specialized in providing trips in Egypt only which includes tour packages, vacations, Nile cruises, day trips, shore excursions, and any kind of trips in Egypt.
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