This place is supposed to be closed for renovations but a 5 Le note pressed into the palm of the guard got us in. We ran in as if being given a go ahead to taste some forbidden fruit. We looked around to see where the blue tiles were. Even though it says it is being renovated, we only saw a very meek attempt at it. Except for the guard, there were no one else around. We started to click away, taking as many pictures as we can of the blue tiles that are still left on the walls. We were in danger of cement falling on top of our heads. Blue is a sacred color and the Arab rulers from Syria and Baghdad built similar mosques in Cairo which they conquered. These tiles is said to have come from Damascus, similar to the tiles they use for their mosques there. While there are some still left on the walls, a lot have been lost. It only make this place more endearing, knowing that if whatever is left is not preserved, it will be lost forever. This place is not in the best part of Islamic Cairo but I would say it is the most picturesque part of Islamic Cairo. For the brave, the rewards are unprecedented. My impression is that it looked more like a Byzantine church, the arching of the ceilings reminds me of some Byantine churches I saw in Ravenna, Italy. The layout gives it away, it has the layout of a mosque.
This place is supposed to be closed for renovations but a 5 Le note pressed into the palm of the guard got us in. We ran in as if being given a go ahead to taste some forbidden fruit. We looked around to see where the blue tiles were. Even though it says it is being renovated, we only saw a very meek attempt at it. Except for the guard, there were no one else around. We started to click away, taking as many pictures as we can of the blue tiles that are still left on the walls. We were in danger of cement falling on top of our heads. Blue is a sacred color and the Arab rulers from Syria and Baghdad built similar mosques in Cairo which they conquered. These tiles is said to have come from Damascus, similar to the tiles they use for their mosques there. While there are some still left on the walls, a lot have been lost. It only make this place more endearing, knowing that if whatever is left is not preserved, it will be lost forever. This place is not in the best part of Islamic Cairo but I would say it is the most picturesque part of Islamic Cairo. For the brave, the rewards are unprecedented. My impression is that it looked more like a Byzantine church, the arching of the ceilings reminds me of some Byantine churches I saw in Ravenna, Italy. The layout gives it away, it has the layout of a mosque.
This faces Mecca.
Wow, isn't this beautiful? Imagine every wall probably was covered with blue tiles. I'd like to see the Blue Mosque in Istanbul one day. This is the closest to any blue mosque for now.
The twin Cypress trees, representing peace and prosperity.
We have the taxi driver waiting for us outside. We were able to do a lot of sightseeing in a single day. We were the only tourists here but as we were leaving, another small group was timidly making their way into the mosque.
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