Gallery
Description
Property Name: Attareen Mosque
Inventory No: 20-3-3
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2009-08-18
Country (State party): Egypt
Province: Alexandria
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 31° 11′ 41.83″ N
29° 53′ 52.68″ E
Historic Period: 11th century, 2nd half
Year of Construction: 1057
Style:
Original Use: Mosque
Current Use: Mosque
Architect: Unknown
Significance
Attarine Mosque is situated in Attarine district. It was originally a church, which was converted to a mosque when Egypt was conquered by Muslims in 7th century. During the Fatimid period, general Badr El Gamaly renovated the mosque in 1057 and it became a congregational mosque for Friday prayers. The mosque was renovated in 1371-72 and finally in 1901. It is designed in a rectangular shape, the minaret is placed in the southeastern corner of the mosque. It is a hypostyle mosque with a rectangular courtyard in the middle.
Selection Criteria
iii. to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
The only item remaining from the original mosque is the stone with the inscription, indicating that the mosque was built by Badr El Gamaly. The mosque has been renovated many times throughout its history. The recent construction of the mosque survives from the renovation of Abbas II in 1901. The mosque is in a good state of preservation today.
References
ed. Michell, George. Architecture of the Islamic World; Its History and Social Meaning. Thanes & Hudson, London, 1978.