Citadel of Saladin Cairo Egypt

Citadel of Saladin Cairo 

The Citadel of Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin) is one of the most iconic monuments in Islamic Cairo, and among the most impressive defensive fortresses dating to the Middle Ages. Its strategic location on the Muqattam Hills gave it a formidable defensive position, and offered, as it still does today, an unrestricted panoramic view of Cairo. 

Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi was the first to order the construction of a fortress over the Muqattam Hills in (572 AH/ 1176 AD), but it was not completed during his lifetime. This was achieved during the reign of Sultan al-Kamel ibn al-Adel (604 AH/1207 AD) who decided to reside in it, making it the official residence of the rulers of Egypt. In the mid-nineteenth century, Khedive Ismail moved the official residence to Abdeen Palace in downtown Cairo. 

The Citadel Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi witnessed some of the most significant events in Egyptian history from the time it was built to the end of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, which was in power from the early nineteenth century until the 1952 revolution, when the modern Egyptian republic was born. Many monuments were added to the Citadel over the centuries, providing visitors today with an array of places to visit, such as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, which dominates the Citadel. Other places to visit include the mosque of the Mamluk sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, the Ottoman-era Sulayman Pasha al-Khadim Mosque, as well as a number of museums such as the Police Museum, Al-Jawhara Palace Museum, and the Military Museum.

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).

Muhammed Ali mosque 

When Muhammed Ali came to power, he was determined to erase the influence of the Mamluks, who had controlled Egypt for six centuries before him, and demolished their palaces within the fortress. He also built one of Cairo’s most recognizable landmarks. His Alabaster Mosque, built in memory of a deceased son, towers over the rest of the complex. 

Its silhouette is the most dominant feature of Cairo’s eastern skyline. In addition to these two mosques, the Citadel also contains the National Military Museum, full of uniforms and weapons from Egypt long history, a Police Museum, and several more museums dedicated to the palace of Muhammed Ali.

Gawhara Palace 

Also of great beauty is the Gawhara Palace or Bijou Palace, built to be the personal residence of Mohammed Ali. It is currently one of the best displays of Ottoman architecture that can be seen in Cairo. It is named in honor of the Governor’s wife, Gawhara Hanem.

Al-Gawhara Palace, also known as Bijou Palace, is a palace and museum in Cairo, Egypt. The palace is situated south of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in the Cairo Citadel. It was commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1814.

Military Museum at Cairo Citadel 

The Military Museum at Cairo Citadel building erected in 1827 served as the residence of the royal family in Egypt until 1874. It was a military hospital in the British occupation of World War II and returned to Egyptian control in 1946. The palatial decor is impressive, be sure to check it out.

Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque 

The mosque is the only Mamluk building still in existence at the Citadel in Cairo. It was built between 1318 and 1335 and is close to the Mohammed Ali Mosque. The attraction has two entrances: one was used by soldiers and the other exclusively by the sultan.

The mosque of Sultan al­Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun

In the Citadel of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin) in Cairo, was the royal mosque during the Mamluk Period. It is located in the Citadel’s southern section. The Mamluk sultan, al-Nasir Muhammad, has ordered this mosque be built in 718 AH/ 1318 AD. He rebuilt it in 735 AH/1335 AD. This mosque was highly cherished by subsequent Mamluk sultans, and used by the Mamluk occupants of the Citadel.

The mosque is among the most prominent monuments within the citadel, it is consists of an open court surrounded by four porticos. The mosque has two minarets, the tops of the two minarets and dome were once covered in green tiles, and are influenced by an eastern Islamic style. The inside of the dome is decorated with a banner of Qur’anic verses, the titles of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad, and the date of rebuilding the mosque. 

The ceiling of the mosque is decorated with beautiful geometric shapes. The ornate minbar (pulpit) is made of wood, inlaid with ivory and mother-of-pearl, and inscribed with the name of King Farouk. The mosque was used as storage and prison during the British occupation of 1882 AD. This led to its destruction, but it was subsequently restored in 1948 AD.

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).