Aga Khan Mausoleum

The Aga Khan Mausoleum is an elegant domed tomb perched on a hilltop on the west bank of the Nile in Aswan, the final resting place of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan III, the 48th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims who died in 1957. The mausoleum's simple yet beautiful design, inspired by the Fatimid tombs of Cairo, is built from pink limestone and features a white Carrara marble interior.

A Love Story

The location was chosen because Aga Khan III fell in love with Aswan during his frequent winter visits, staying at the nearby Old Cataract Hotel. His wife, the Begum Om Habibeh, placed a red rose on his sarcophagus every day until her own death in 2000. The tradition of the daily rose continued through a local caretaker for many years and has become one of Aswan's most touching stories.

Views

While the mausoleum interior is not open to the public, the walk up to the site rewards visitors with some of the most spectacular views of the Nile, Elephantine Island, and the city of Aswan. The surrounding desert landscape, dotted with ancient tombs, adds to the serene atmosphere of this hilltop memorial.