Al-Hakim Mosque

About Al-Hakim Mosque

Mosque in Egypt

The Mosque of al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, also called al-Anwar ("the Illuminated"), is one of the largest Fatimid mosques in Cairo. Caliph al-Aziz began building it in 990 CE just outside Bab al-Futuh; he died before it was finished, and his son al-Hakim completed it in 1013, which is why it carries his name. It stands in Historic Cairo on the east side of al-Muizz Street, immediately south of Bab al-Futuh, so it is the first monument visitors meet when entering through the northern gate. The mosque consists of a wide internal courtyard surrounded by arcades, a hypostyle prayer hall and a monumental projecting entrance portal. Its most distinctive features are the two unusual minarets: the original shafts have ornate, multi-tiered designs, but shortly after construction they were encased inside the massive square bastions still seen today, for reasons that remain unclear. Over the centuries the mosque was neglected and used as a prison, a warehouse and an elementary school before the Dawoodi Bohra community carried out a thorough restoration, completed in 1980, that returned it to religious use. Together with Bab al-Futuh, Bab al-Nasr and al-Muizz Street, it is one of the highlights of Fatimid Cairo.

Where:

Cairo, Egypt