Photos: The Architecture of Egypt

We like Arabic architecture.  The intricate geometric patterns, typical of Arabic ceramic tiles, are highlighted by the daylight behind this screen in a Cairo mosque.  Part of the goal of Islamic art is to reduce the scale of objects, which symbolizes the transitory nature of life.
Entering a house of worship creates a mood.  It sets the tone of solemnity.  This photo shows the entrance to the giant Al Rifa'i Mosque, which holds the tomb of the late Shah of Iran. 
Arabic writing looks like a work of art.

This stained glass window differs in design from the typical stained glass windows in Christian churches and cathedrals.  Islamic art emphasizes the orderliness and symmetry of design, without the depiction of religious figures in human forms.When people think of Egyptian architecture, they probably think first of the pyramids.  This is a close view of the Great Pyramid of Giza.  In ancient times, it was covered with a smooth surface. Today, its blocks are exposed, so close up the pyramid looks like an orderly stack of blocks. The blocks close to the ground are too big to climb upon, and climbing is prohibited, as it should be.