Being in Cairo, have to visit the majestic Citadel of Saladin, one of the world's greatest monuments of medieval art of war. Reminiscent of a typical early medieval fortress, with an impressive gate, towers and defensive walls Citadel is one of Cairo's main attractions and probably the most popular monument in the Egyptian capital, which does not come from the reign of the pharaohs.
Cairo Citadel is located on the hillside Mokattam, near the historic city center. Situated above the city fortress was built in the years 1176-1183 at the request of the Egyptian ruler Saladin the Ayyubid dynasty, primarily to protect against the Crusaders. Until the death of Muhammad Ali in 1849, which for nearly 700 years, the citadel was the seat of the rulers of Egypt.
This distinctive fortress include three mosques with an impressive mosque Albatre, museum of vehicles, military museum and the museum of garden. Visitors can even walk on the walls of the fortification. View of Cairo from the walls of the citadel is breathtaking.
Within the Citadel is also Kasr Al-Dżawhara (Jewel Palace), which is the name of Dżawhara Hanem, last wife of Muhammad Ali. In the structure built in 1814 was located administration of the ruler and his private residence. The walls of this beautiful palace, which was built under the influence of Ottoman architecture decorated with gold inscriptions. One of the most impressive features is the Hall clock, decorated with a motif of clock.
The history of the citadel began a few years after the fall of the Fatimid Caliphate. Saladin promised to build a wall that will surround both Cairo and Fustat. The Citadel was to be a central part of the fortifications, which made her a secure and almost impossible to get. Confirmed by the fact that the Egyptian government remained seated until the nineteenth century, when Isma'il Pasha moved to a newly built Palace Abdin in the 60s nineteenth century.
When the construction of the Citadel was completed at the turn of the year 1183/1184, the wall was still under construction in 1238 years, long after the death of Saladin. To ensure its access to water, they were built aqueducts and wells with a depth of approx. 85 m. It is also known as Spiral Well, because it leads to the 300 stairs down. Already during the reign of Al-Nasir Muhammad amount of water transported by aqueducts it began to be insufficient for the large population of people and animals living in the Citadel. To prevent her lack, Al-Nasir Muhammad built several water wheels on the Nile, where then aqueducts built during the reign of Saladin yet been delivered to the Citadel.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Open daily, 8AM-5PM
Mosques closed during Friday prayers
Ticket prices:
Normal: EGP 50
Student / reduced: 25 EGP
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