Mosque of Muhammed Ali

Constructed between 1830 and 1857 under the orders of Muhammed Ali Pasha, the Alabaster Mosque was dedicated to the Egyptian ruler's son, who died young. 

Perched on the summit of the Saladin Citadel, the Mosque of Muhammed Ali is one of the landmark attractions in Cairo, and it stands proudly above the city, visible from most directions. Its height means it also offers fantastic views over the Egyptian capital. 

The immense temple, complete with its double minarets and a number of half-domes surrounding one large central dome, was built according to Ottoman style, and the influence of Istanbul's New Mosque on its architecture can easily be seen. While it is mainly built from limestone, the lower storey is covered with alabaster, giving the mosque its alternative nickname.

Inside the mosque, the different rooms are intricately decorated with the careful geometrical patterns of Islamic art, while outside visitors can stroll through the courtyard and admire a brass clock tower gifted to Muhammed Ali by the French King Louis Philippe in 1845. Sadly, it arrived in Egypt damaged - and it never got repaired. 

The Alabaster Mosque is one of the most visited sites in Cairo, and makes for an interesting insight into this ancient country's more modern history.