Gawhar al-Lala Mosque
Gawhar al-Lala Mosque
Gawhar al-Lala Mosque (overlooking Citadel Square, facing Rifai Mosque, Cairo) — At a short walking distance from the Citadel square, niched in a small street emerging from behind the grand Al-Rifai Mosque, lies the Gawhar al-Lala mosque. This relatively small mosque covers a surface of a little less than 200 square meters. Dating back to 1430 AD, the mosque holds the name of its founder, Amir Gawhar al-Lala, a slave who was raised to the rank of an important servant in Sultan Barsbay’s court. He earned his title “Al-Lala” by serving as a private tutor to the Sultan’s sons.
A visit to the mosque is an opportune chance to remember Lala’s life story. According to historians, one of Lala’s princely pupils who later acceded to the “throne” greatly honoured his teacher at first, but later threw him in jail where he died from an epileptic attack. The story has it that even during his imprisonment; the kind-hearted teacher shared his knowledge with his inmates.
Tourists usually overlook small landmarks to the detriment of visiting more famous buildings and monuments, such as the nearby Al-Rifai mosque. It is a deplorable common mistake; the charming red and yellow mosque holds some of the best mid-Mamluk period ornaments in Cairo and its decorative features are a must-see and a pleasure to the eye.