Mosque of Ibn Tulun
The oldest mosque in Egypt — over 1,100 years old.
Story
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun is the oldest mosque in Egypt that is still standing! It was built more than 1,140 years ago by a leader named Ahmad ibn Tulun, who wanted a giant Friday mosque for his new capital city.
The mosque is HUGE — its courtyard alone could fit several football fields! The most famous part is its spiral minaret. Instead of stairs inside, the stairs go around the outside like a snail's shell. You climb up by walking around and around the tower!
The walls are made of stones and bricks, with simple but beautiful arched windows. There are no shiny domes or fancy colors here — Ibn Tulun is famous for its calm, peaceful beauty.
Kids love visiting because the open courtyard feels like a fortress. Birds fly above and the spiral minaret looks almost like something from a fairy-tale castle.
Fun facts
- ✨The minaret's stairs are on the OUTSIDE.