Citadel of Salah El Din

Citadel of Salah El Din

Citadel of Salah El Din

Citadel of Salah El Din

A Citadel, also known as a Defended Fort or an Ancient Egyptian Fort, is a military structure historically built on high ground to make dominating the surrounding area easier. The word "citadel" can apply to a castle or a city considered important because of its military location. The Citadel in this article refers to the Cairo Citadel, which was built by Salah el Din Ayubī and further developed by subsequent Egyptian rulers. The Citadel was built on a hilltop in Cairo, which gave it an excellent vantage point for observing the surrounding area. It has been used as a fortress and prison at different historical points.

The most famous monument in Egypt

The Citadel of Salah El Din is the most famous monument in Egypt and is deeply connected to Islamic culture. Located in Cairo, the Mamluk Sultan Al-Zahir Baybars built it as a fortress. The Citadel stands on a hill in the center of Cairo, also known as the Mokattam Hill. It consists of an outer wall with 12 towers and two gates. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

The Citadel has been used as an observation post and a royal palace, and its interior houses two mosques: one for Friday prayers and one for daily use by the general public.

 

A fortress built by Salah El Din (Saladin) in Egypt at the time of the Crusades

The Citadel of Salah El Din is a medieval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo. Subsequent Egyptian rulers built upon its foundations for the next 700 years, including Qaitbay in the 14th century and Muhammad Ali Pasha (then governor of Egypt) after the French occupation of Egypt in 1801. The fortress city contains many distinctive features, including towers and ramparts, gates, walls and courtyards, Iwan (a rectangular hall space) and alleys, houses and administrative buildings, and mosques and tombs. The Citadel was built on a promontory that overlooked the Eastern Harbor of Old Cairo. It served as a royal residence and a stronghold in times of conflict. The enclosure is surrounded by inner and outer walls, the latter with towers at intervals. There are six entry gates: Bab al-Futuh (Victory Gate), Bab Zuweila (Oxford Gate or Tower of Rohan), Bab al-Nasr (Gate of Victory), Bab al-Fath (Gate of Conquests), and Bab al-Maqam Ibrahim Agha (Damascus Gate).

 

Brief history

Salah El-Din Citadel is a medieval Islamic citadel and palace in Cairo, Egypt, built by the Ayyubid Sultan Salah El-Din. It has been described as one of the most impressive monuments in Cairo. The Citadel's name is thought to come from either the name of its builder or its proximity to a mosque. It also served as a prison under the reign of Muhammad Ali in the early 19th century.

It was originally built on top of a 12th-century Fatimid palace that had been destroyed by fire. The Citadel bears an inscription dated 1168 AD with an honorific title for Sultan Saladin, who commissioned it during his conquest of Jerusalem and Syria.

 

How to get there?

The Citadel is located in the heart of Cairo, Egypt, and is one of this area's most popular tourist attractions. The Citadel's construction began in 1176 AD when Sultan Abdel Mumin conquered Egypt and was completed by his son Al-Malik al-Afif. The Citadel sits on a 30-acre land with a perimeter wall that is 1.5 miles long and consists of nine towers. The best way to get there is to take a taxi from outside the airport, or you can use public transportation, which will take about an hour. If you are not renting a car, we recommend taking the Metro from Tahrir Square station to Rameses Station, where you can change trains for Mohandessin station and then take a taxi to see the Citadel (about 20 minutes).

 

The site, highlights, tour recommendations

The Citadel of Salah El Din was built in the 12th century to protect the city from invaders. Today, it is a popular tourist destination with many beautiful stone walls and towers. Visitors can also climb up to the top for spectacular views over the city and the Nile River. We recommend taking a guided tour as there are many things to learn about this ancient fortress.

 

Practical information

The Citadel is a large fortress located in the city center of Cairo. It was built in 1176 AD by the fourth Mamluk Sultan, Al-Salih Qalawun, and served as a military stronghold and residence for the ruling class. The Citadel has been an important historic landmark for centuries; it's one of the most recognizable buildings in Egypt, and it houses many national museums today. The Citadel contains two mosques with unique designs, a mausoleum for Sultan Qalawun himself, two madrasas (Islamic schools), barracks for troops, and stables for horses. In addition to these structures on the inside, there are also six towers on top which can be climbed with stairs that lead up to them.

 

Now, you have gone through the details about the Citadel, and you want to visit Cairo and struggle to reach a beautiful and reasonable hotel in this beautiful and ancient city of Cairo. We are happy to suggest some of the best options that Cairo city offers. We recommend the hostel Le Raid if you're planning to visit Cairo, Egypt. This is affordable, clean, and safe for single and family visitors. Citadel of Salah El Din has an easy approach from the beautiful place called "Le Riad Cairo." At least the Le Riad hostel will satisfy all your needs and requirements. From catering to the lowest details, this is where you want your musketeers and family to stay if they're visiting Cairo or, indeed, planning to visit.

conclusion

The Citadel is a great place to explore and learn about the history of this region. Though it was originally built as a fortress, with its high walls, the Citadel now has an amphitheater for plays and concerts, an art museum, and many other features that make it a popular destination for locals as tourists. You can get tickets online or at the gate. It's important to note that photography inside the Citadel is not allowed. The next time you are in Cairo, take some time to explore what may be one of Egypt's most interesting attractions.