Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

The Mosque of Sultan Hasan in Cairo was in its time the largest mosque in the world. It was built in the years 1356-1363. Its builder was Al- Nasir al- Hasan, who in Egypt ( 1347-1351 and 1354-1361 ) reigned twice as Sultan. The ruler was known for his learning that he adopted when he spent the time between his two Regierungsperidoden in prison. The mosque were attached to four madrasas, which reflected his interest in the scholarship. The building has a number of architectural features. His somewhat irregular plan measures 65 x 150 meters. Immediately next to it is the Al Rifa'i Mosque.

The construction work

According to the historian al - Maqrizi reports of construction in 1356 was started. Contemporary documents indicate that even large parts of the building were completed in 1360. However, in 1361 collapsed the minaret that was built over the main gate. This led to numerous deaths and was designed as a bad sign for the Sultan. In fact, he was assassinated 33 days later. The building was never actually completed, although the construction work continued. The body of the Sultan was not buried here. Construction is expected to have cost more than one million dinars and was therefore also the most expensive in medieval Cairo. Appears in an inscription in the complex Muhammed Ibn al - Biylik Muhsini as operations manager. This is also known from other sources, and was a major Emir. The fact that he was allowed to perpetuate with an inscription in the building speaks to its importance and the importance of the building.

The architecture

The building stands on the site of a palace, which was built in just three decades ago, and was torn down. For the construction of the mosque but probably building material and the foundations of this palace were used.

The complex consists of the actual Friday Mosque, the Mausoleum of Sultan and four madrassas.

The main entrance of the complex is located in the northeast. The monumental gate is decorated 38 m high and rich. From here we passed through a Madrasa to the core of the system. There is a courtyard, the four sides each having an Iwan. In the center of the courtyard is a fountain. This is the actual mosque. The walls of the Ivane are rich in marble. In the area between the Iwanen are the madrasas, each with a private courtyard and cells for the students. The northeast and southwest facade of Kernbaues consist of six high niches in which there are eight windows. This gives the building a really modern look. The southwest façade is 150 m long.

In the south, the largest Ivan, in which it is also the largest Ivan in Cairo is located. The three walls wear a belt with a monumental inscription. Behind it is the mausoleum. It is a square, free-standing building on three sides, crowned by a dome and consists only of a large hall. Although the construction is largely detached, each outer wall has only two double windows and a round opening, so that the mausoleum is shrouded in semi-darkness. The dome is made of wood and has a diameter of 21 m, the largest of this material in Cairo. The entire hall is 30 meters high. The dome was reconstructed in 1671. Pietro della Valle in 1616 described the original dome as ovate, pointed upward continuously. The building has two minarets flanking the mausoleum, where the northern collapsed in 1659 and was 1671/72 replaced by the current, smaller. The original minaret was once even from two turrets, which rested on a single tower.

The operation of the complex

Sultan Hasan ordered that the income from various farms in Egypt and Syria benefited from the maintenance of the complex and especially the madrasahs. They had 200 students, 340 employees and 506 students. The mosque had 48 muezzins and two preachers, while otherwise a single was the rule.

Were taught in the madrasas, the four legal schools of Islam, but in addition also medicine and astronomy.

The mosque stands on the edge of the medieval city, near the Citadel. This construction also had a strategic importance and has frequently been used by insurgents as a fortress.