The Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha also known as the Alabaster Mosque is situated at the top of a high cliff, with magnificent views over the City of Cairo in Egypt.

It was commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848.

Situated on the summit of the citadel, the mosque which is the largest built in the first half of the 19th century, is the most visible mosque in Cairo.  The main dome of the mosque is 52 metres high and the two minarets reach over 80 meters.

The mosque was built in memory of Tusun Pasha, Muhammad Ali’s oldest son, who died in 1816. In the courtyard we could see the Alabaster covered walls which were quite stunning.

We were able to go inside and explore the mosque itself which was a highlight of the visit to the citadel.  We took off our shoes and went through the main entrance into the large mosque.

The interior and exterior walls are coated with alabaster to the height of approximately 11 metres.  That is why it is called the Alabaster Mosque.  The mosque floor was covered in a carpet and set up with lines for prayer.

The ceiling was impressive with  a central dome surrounded by four small and four semicircular domes. The central dome was impressive reaching nearly 52 meters high.

The front area in the mosque had the minbar. This is the pulpit in the mosque where the imam (prayer leader) stands to deliver the sermons.

We walked through the mosque admiring the architecture and the history of this amazing mosque. Today the mosque of Muhammad Ali is one of the most popular historical sites of Cairo.