Stories Behind the Mosque and School of Sultan Hassan

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Behind every ancient building in Egypt, there is a story to tell. One of these buildings is the Mosque and School of Sultan Hassan.

This is a famous Egyptian expression that comes from the Mamluk era. During that era young orphans were brought to Egypt and sold in markets to people of the upper class, most of these children were of nameless parents. However, if a mamluk married an Egyptian woman and had a son, people called him man of an honorable family “ibn nas”. Sultan Hassan was one of the 55 mamluks who were called “welad nas”.

“This school, its minaret and its dome are among the wonders of the world" said by Bin Taghry Bardi Al-Atbaki.

For over 700 years, the architect who designed the Mosque and School of Sultan Hassan was unknown. Until the signature of the architect Muhammad bin Bleik Al-Mohsen was discovered engraved behind the walls of the Hanafi school, one of the four schools in the mosque.

It is one of the greatest and most ancient Islamic monuments in Egypt. It was built in 1356 A.D/ 757 A.H by Sultan Hassan ibn Muhammed ibn Qalawun.

This building is not only a school and mosque, but it is also a safe shelter that provides students’ needs and serves as a hospital that helps sick people who were in need during that time.

Have you ever wondered where people used to perform the ritual of ablution back then? People before every prayer used to perform the ritual of ablution at the mosque's fountain.

What will surprise you though, is that Sultan Hassan used to replace the water that the fountain produced with lemon juice during important occasions and events and distributed it to people as a welcome drink.

The mosque is not only for praying but also detaches you from reality; The small details of colors and ornamental writings that no one can imitate like it in Arab World makes you feel impressed and proud that this building exists in Egypt.

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Aya is passionate about the tourism industry and experiencing different adventures. She has traveled to Turkey which is popular for its really delicious food as well as its luxurious mosques. She also went to Malaysia which was a new experience to her and there she discovered a new culture which sparked her love for travelling and adventure. She loves writing about each country she visits and how its culture is different than the Egyptian culture.

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