El Aqmar Mosque

El Aqmar Mosque is also known as the Grey Mosque. This mosque facade is one of the oldest in the city and dates back to 1125 AD. The mosque is situated in the Fatimid city. The architecture of the Aqmar Mosque conforms to that of Fatimid as well as that of Ottoman structures. The name Aqmar means moonlight and the name is inspired from the pale color of the stone, used for the construction of the Mosque. The architecture of the El Aqmar Mosque is a pioneering style of the Mameluk art that was yet to develop during the time of construction of the mosque. It is a rather turning point in the Fatimid style of building, as in earlier times, they would make use of stucco and brick. The El Aqmar Mosque was built by Ma'mun al-Bata'ihi, when the caliph of the place was Mustanshir.

Special Characteristics of the El Aqmar Mosque

The Fatimid keel arch and the niche ribbing at the entrance of the mosque. A beautiful medallion is placed in the niche. The external facade or the window dressing is symbolic of the physical existence and importance while the interior wall represents the spiritual existence of the individual.

The El Aqmar Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in Egypt. Though religious devotees are the most frequent visitors to the mosque, the casual visitors also take a keen on the aesthetic getup of the mosque architecture.