One of the oldest mosques in Cairo is Ibn Tulun, having been constructed in the latter half of the 9th century. It’s remarkably well preserved, having been lovingly kept up for the past 1100 years. This picture is of the sahn or inner courtyard of the complex, with the towering minaret in the background, so unlike the much later slender minarets of Ottoman design. This type, with its spiral staircase, resembles the form of ancient lighthouses. The mosque is segregated from the hubbub of the city by a high double wall, ensuring that the mosque remains one of the most peaceful and contemplative places in busy, noisy Cairo.