The Cairo Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque.. watch video

The Alabaster Mosque at the Citadel of Salah el-Din sits atop a limestone hill overlooking Cairo and is the most important mosque in the city. Still used a place of worship today by the Muslims of Cairo, the architectural masterpiece opens its doors to visitors of all faiths. The lower part of the Mosque is clad inside and out in translucent alabaster, while the top part is constructed from the limestone cladding removed from the Pyramids of Giza

Legend has it that Salah ad-Din chose the site for its healthy air. The story goes that he hung pieces of meat up all around Cairo. The meat spoilt within a day everywhere except in the Citadel area, where it remained fresh for several days.

The Mosque and Madrassa (school) of Sultan Hassan was built between 1356 and 1363, and is believed to be one of the finest examples of Mamluk architecture in Cairo. The mosque is also considered one of the largest, not only in Cairo but in the whole Islamic world, measuring some 492 feet (150 meters) long and 118 feet (36 meters) high. The highest minaret is 223 feet (68 meters) tall

Video Travelling Egypt 9. The Cairo Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque from http://egyoffline-guide.blogspot on Vimeo.