Photographer's Note
Completed in 1848, the Ottoman-style Muhammad 'Ali Mosque or Alabaster Mosque is the most noticeable in all of Cairo; for more than 150 years it has dominated the skyline.
When the Ottoman Muhammad 'Ali assumed power of Cairo in the 1800s he had all the Mamluk buildings of the Citadel razed and the complex entirely rebuilt. The Citadel's appearance today is the vision of Muhammad 'Ali, particularly the mosque that bears his name. It was built between 1824 and 1848; the domes had to be rebuilt in the 1930s.
Ottoman law prohibited anyone but the sultan from building a mosque with more than one minaret, but this mosque has two minarets. This was one of Muhammad 'Ali's first indications that he did not intend to remain submissive to Istanbul.
The mosque is classically Turkish in style, reflecting its Ottoman origins. The cascading domes, slender minarets, constellation of hanging globe lamps, richly decorated ceiling and spacious interior all recall the great mosques of Istanbul.
The interior also reflects some French rococo influences, and is finished with ornate lines of red, green, and gold. There is a gold-scalloped mihrab and two minbars (pulpits): one faced in alabaster and the other, unusually, in the Art Nouveau style.
Muhammad Ali is buried beneath a white marble monument on the right of the entrance behind a bronze grill.
In the courtyard is an ornate clock given by Louis Philippe in exchange for the obelisk that stands in the Place de la Concorde in Paris. It has never worked.
Reference: Sacred Destinations
Critiques | Translate
mkamionka
(74351) 2009-07-02 3:24
Hi Chris,
beautiful postcard, very well presented.
Excellent quality,
I am sorry they had this construction on the top.
TFS
M
jhm
(211736) 2009-07-02 4:46
Hello Chris,
Real a very good image with the mosque as subject.
Sharpness and clarity are superb.
Thank you very much for your excellent note too.
Very well composition and presentation. TFS.
Best regards,
John
thor68
(5586) 2009-07-02 11:06
what an amazing mosque! :-) excellent and clear capture with wonderful details, love the numerous doors, windows and cupolas.
the sandy color looks great against the dark polarized sky. well done & best wishes, thor.
hispic
(9658) 2009-07-02 20:07
Hi Chris,
What a crystal clear color! I like this blue of the sky and camel color of the mosque, luminous impression is also so nice.
Regards, Hisashi
feather
(51130) 2009-07-05 8:49
It is a well taken photo with excellent detail and clarity, very well handled light and wonderful colours. It is just a pity they were renovating it while you were there. I hate it when it happens to me.
Kath
Clementi
(52514) 2009-07-05 23:37
Ciao Chris,
nice shot,impress sight, a fantastic POv indeed that exalts the beauty of the mosque, the polarizer has very well job, colors well saturated and good light.
Giorgio
danos
(110407) 2009-07-06 6:50
Hi Chris,
excellent presentation of this alabaster Mosque in Cairo!I like the perspective and the POV as the minarets outlined perfect against the blue sky.The sharpness and the clarity are superb as the contrast of the main colours.Well done.
Regards from Greece,Danos
pauloog
(11751) 2009-07-23 8:12
Hello Chris,
A fine and clear view on this mosque with an interesting story. The architecture well captured with good contrasts despite the harsh light. And a good note too.
regards,
Paul
SaidQirimli
(480) 2010-02-02 13:45
Hello Chris!
Excellent shot indeed!
Great colors and contrast! Very informative note!
All that gave me the opportunity to have a virtual trip in Cairo!
Thank you for representing this Masterpiece of the Islamic Architecture!
My Kindest Regards!
Said.
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Chris Chafer (sandpiper)
(6788)
- Genre: Places
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2009-02-25
- Categories: Architecture
- Camera: Pentax K100D Super, Sigma 18-50 1:3,5-5,6 DC, ISO 200, Hoya Cir. Polarizer 58 mm
- Exposure: f/4.5, 1/500 seconds
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Theme(s): My trip to Egypt & Turkey [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2009-07-02 1:07
- Favorites: 1 [view]