Aswan, Egypt
Mausoleum at the west bank of Aswan, Egypt
On a sandy hilltop on Aswan's West Bank, looking down on the Nile, stands a pink granite mausoleum in Fatimid style, built between 1956 and 1960 for Sultan Muhammed Shah, Aga Khan III, imam of the Ismaili community, who asked to be buried near his winter villa in Aswan. Egypt was chosen because it had been the centre of the Ismaili Fatimid state. In 2025 his grandson, Aga Khan IV, was also laid to rest here. It was commissioned by his wife, Begum Om Habibeh, who began the custom of placing a red rose on his tomb every day, a practice that continues. Below the mausoleum is the white villa designed by the Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy, the family's winter residence. The mausoleum once received visitors, but the interior has been closed to the public since 1997. Its simple lines and dome above the golden dunes remain one of the most recognisable sights of Aswan from the river.
The interior is closed, so the best way to see it is from the Nile on a felucca ride, ideally before sunset when the pink stone glows. The western edge of Plant Island also has a good view. Respect the privacy of the site and do not try to climb to the closed gate.
Hours and prices change — check before you go. Source: en.wikipedia.org
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AttractionAswan, Egypt
