The mosque of Al Refaie’ is considered one of the most remarkable Islamic structures in all of Cairo. The mosque is located in the Qala’a which is situated right in front of the citadel, just facing the great Mosque of Al Sultan Hassan. The Refaie Mosque was embellished by Khoshiar, the mother of Khedive Ismail, to be the grand mausoleum of the royal family.
The Mosque of Al Refaie featured striking, immense entrance gates with tall columns made of rock and marble adorned with rich Arabic decorations. The builders of the mosque didn’t want it to be outshone by its larger neighbors.