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Egypt, Dakahlia, one of the oldest photographs of Mansoura, 1889

This rare photograph depicts the oldest mosque in the city of Mansoura, located in Dakahlia Governorate, namely the Al-Saleh Najm al-Din Ayyub Mosque — one of the most prominent historical landmarks in Egypt’s Nile Delta.

The mosque was built by order of King Al-Saleh Najm al-Din Ayyub, the last ruler of the Ayyubid dynasty, who personally supervised its construction in Mansoura (then known as Jazirat Al-Ward) in 1243 AD, more than 782 years ago.

It is considered one of the earliest mosques built in the Nile Delta in the Ayyubid architectural style, a design characterized by architectural simplicity combined with intricate Islamic ornamentation.

The mosque also served as a gathering place for scholars and jurists during the 7th century AH (13th century AD), and it is mentioned in several historical sources as part of King Al-Saleh’s plan to develop Mansoura and establish it as a military center during the Seventh Crusade in 1249 AD — a campaign that ultimately led to the capture of King Louis IX of France near the site of the mosque.

Thus, the Al-Saleh Najm al-Din Ayyub Mosque remains a testament to the deep heritage of Mansoura and Egypt’s glorious history, standing as a timeless symbol of Islamic civilization in the Nile Delta