Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

At first sight, the Mausoleum of the Agha Khan in Aswan may appear to you as an austere and isolated building, on the west bank of the Nile River. Inspired by the architecture of the Cairo Fatimids, the structure is recognizable by its elegance and by its special use of pink granite. It was built at the request of the begum, wife of the Aga Khan III who died in 1957.The begum Aga Khan; who died in 2000, lived in the white villa below but closed the mausoleum to the public in 1997 to allow the deceased to rest in peace away from the bustle of the living. Nevertheless, the spot is more than worth a visit, be it for the serenity of the place or the amazing panoramas of the Nile and the villa below.

The structure is recognizable by its elegance and by its special use of pink granite and calcareous sandstone. The interior of the building features light colors and gloriously red carpet that is still regularly maintained. The entrance to the Aga Khan mausoleum requires a hard climb on a stepped path, followed by an esplanade from which a flight of steps comes up. Etiquette requires that all visitors keep silent out of respect.

After Aga Khan’s death, his surviving widow continued to leave a red rose on his white Carrara marble tomb. Living in the villa, she managed to do this faithfully until her own death in 2000. Even to this day, as per request of Mata Salama, a red rose still finds its way to the sarcophagus.

Always check for available times and tours in Aswan to see if and when the Aga Khan Mausoleum is opened to the public. This is one of the grandest and most romantic attractions in Aswan and also in all of Lower Egypt so make plans to purchase an Egypt guided tour that includes the Aga Khan Mausoleum. It is a nice place to visit before boarding Nile cruises from Aswan to Luxor, or after enjoying Nile cruises from Luxor to Aswan.

The Aga Khan was the 48th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, one of the founders of the All-India Muslim League, and even briefly served as President of the League of Nations in 1937. Aga Khan was the spiritual leader of the Ismailis, a Shi’ite sect, which mostly developed in India. Though this spiritual leader died in 1957, his mausoleum still stands and can be seen above the white villa where he once lived. The Aga Khan mausoleum can be seen even from as far away as the Nile.