Abu el-Abbas el-Mursi Mosque, Alexandria (must see)

Abu el-Abbas el-Mursi Mosque is dedicated to a 13th-century Sufi teacher whose name means “the man from Murcia,” referring to his birthplace in Andalusia. A respected figure of the Shadhili order, he settled in Egypt and became closely associated with religious learning, spiritual discipline, and public devotion. After his death, his tomb developed into an important pilgrimage site, gradually surrounded by buildings supported by rulers, patrons, and local worshippers.

The present mosque was shaped by a major 20th-century reconstruction encouraged by King Fuad I and completed in 1945 by architect Mario Rossi. Rossi replaced the traditional square layout with an octagonal plan. Its minaret, domes, and carved façades combine modern design with Andalusian and Mamluk influences.

Inside, the mosque’s scale and craftsmanship become clearer. The prayer hall is supported by 16 massive monolithic granite columns, carved from single blocks of stone and rising roughly 8.6 metres high. Architectural records identify them as Italian granite, with four specially made pink granite pillars used to help carry the weight of the main dome. Above them, hand-carved and gilded teak ceilings add warmth and detail, while a large bronze chandelier imported from Italy hangs beneath the central dome.

The mosque forms part of a wider religious setting often known as Mosque Square, near the shrines of Sidi Yaqut al-Arshi and Imam al-Busiri, author of the famous Burda poem. During the annual Mawlid, the area fills with Sufi pilgrims, chanting, poetry, and devotional gatherings. The mosque remains an active place of worship, so modest dress and respectful behaviour are expected.