Sultan Al Nasir Muhammad Mosque — Attraction in Cairo

Mosque and School of Al-Nasser Muhammad Bin Qalawoun

This school is located in Al-Maaz-Dinullah Street (between the few), between the dome of Sultan Qalawoun and the Barqouq School, Sultan Adel Zein Aldin started its construction in the imperial maritime era in 695 AH / 1296 AD, and Sultan Al-Nasser Muhammad bin Qalawoun completed the construction between 698 - 703 AH / 1298-1303 AD.

Only Iwanine remained of the school: the Eastern with its rare plaster warfare, the Western Iwan with its fine plaster grid, the school features a beautiful stone facade decorated with motifs, and a white marble entrance was found in a church in the city of Aka in Palestine.

The shrine dome is on the right of the inside of the door, and it is surrounded on the inside by wood decorated with golden decorations and colors, and in this dome Princess Asalbay, the mother of Al-Nasser Mohammed and his son Anok was buried.

Next to the dome above the door, the square avengers, characterized by its charming Andalusian motifs, which carries a large collection of patterns and writings.

Mosque and Madrasa of al-Nasir Muhammad Ibn Qalawun

This madrasa is located on al-Mu’izz street, between the two palaces. It is placed between the Dome of Sultan Qalawun and the Madrasa of Sultan Barquq.

Its construction began during the reign of Mamluk sultan Zayn al-Din Katbugha in 695 AH/ 1296 AD. It was completed, however, during the reign of Sultan Muhammad ibn Qalawun, sometime between 698-703 AH/1298-1303 AD.

Only two of the madrasa’s iwans survive. The eastern iwan contains a rare plaster mihrab and the western iwan contains plaster window. The madrasa is characterised by a beautiful stone façade and a marble entrance that used to serve as the gate for a church in Acre, Palestine.

Inside, the mausoleum lies to the right of the door. It is surrounded by gilded wooden grills. Here, Sultan al-Naser Muhammad’s mother, princess Aslabai, and his son Anok are buried.

Near the dome is a door leading to the square minaret. It is distinguished by its enchanting Andalusian decorations and bearing various collection of decorations and...

The Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque (مسجد الناصر محمد بن قلاوون), nestled within the Citadel of Cairo, is a truly beautiful and peaceful place to visit. I had the chance to explore it last week and was struck by the elegance and simplicity of its architecture. The grand arches, green-tiled minaret, and the tranquil courtyard make it a calming escape from the noise of the city.

Despite its age, the mosque is well-preserved and offers a quiet atmosphere that allows visitors to reflect and admire the craftsmanship of the Mamluk period. It's not as crowded as other Cairo attractions, which adds to its peaceful charm.

Interestingly, I noticed several stray cats and a few dogs roaming around the mosque grounds. Far from being a nuisance, they were calm and friendly — some even napping in the shade. As an animal lover, I found this added an unexpected warmth and character to the visit. It was lovely to see them treated with kindness in such a sacred space.

If you're visiting the Citadel, this mosque is definitely worth taking your time to explore. It’s not just a historical site, but a peaceful moment in the middle of Cairo’s energy, with a few furry friends to keep...

Very comfortable and peaceful place.. Around 1318, when the mosque was completed, the Sultan al-Nasir used it for his daily prayer. A side room enclosed by intricate iron work served as a private place of thought for the busy sultan. The call to prayer was broadcast to the North where the palace troops would be able to hear it.Perhaps unique in all of history, the funds to build this mosque exceeded its actual costs. These funds were used to buy more land and shops to support the mosque making it one of the wealthiest institutions in the city.

Both the financial stability and the Sultan’s own prestige made the Citadel Mosque a desirable place to work. To decide who would get the job, the Sultan called before him all the muezzins, preachers, and readers in the city to come before him and preach. Thus, the king got to pick the best and brightest religious leaders to serve...