Cairo Egypt Birds Eye View Citadel Panorama 1899 Cyanotype Real Photo Postcard
The prominent structure in this view is the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, situated within the historic Citadel of Cairo, Egypt. Commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha, the Ottoman Albanian ruler of Egypt, its construction began in 1830 and was largely completed by 1848, with the towering minarets finished by 1857. Designed by the Greek architect Yusuf Boshnak, the mosque is a distinctive example of Ottoman Baroque architecture, drawing inspiration from grand imperial mosques in Istanbul.
This mosque quickly became a defining feature of Cairo's skyline, serving as a powerful symbol of Muhammad Ali's modernization efforts and his dynasty's reign over Egypt. The Citadel itself, a medieval Islamic fortification established by Saladin in the 12th century, served as the seat of Egyptian government for nearly 700 years, making it a crucial historical and strategic site overlooking the sprawling city.
This mosque quickly became a defining feature of Cairo's skyline, serving as a powerful symbol of Muhammad Ali's modernization efforts and his dynasty's reign over Egypt. The Citadel itself, a medieval Islamic fortification established by Saladin in the 12th century, served as the seat of Egyptian government for nearly 700 years, making it a crucial historical and strategic site overlooking the sprawling city.
