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Egypt & North Africa
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
Cairo, Egypt
The largest mosque in Cairo by area and a witness to the Abbasid style in Egypt. Its famous spiral minaret recalls Samarra's, and beside it stands the historic Bayt al-Kritliya.
Story & history
Ahmad ibn Tulun built it on the hill of Yashkur with its distinctive spiral minaret; it remains among Cairo's largest mosques, its walled original courtyard preserved.
Getting there
Pin the site on the map or head straight there with your maps app; opening hours and access vary by season.
Quick facts
- Largest mosque in Cairo by area
- Spiral minaret with an external stair
- Courtyard hosting ten thousand worshippers
Visiting tip
Climb the minaret at sunset for a view of old Cairo.