The Citadel of Saladin (Cairo Citadel) facts
The Citadel of Saladin is a great fortress, built between 1176 and 1183
Where is The Citadel of Saladin located?
On the heights of the capital of Egypt today, Cairo.
Who built the Citadel in Cairo?
The Citadel of Saladin built by the king Nasir Salah Al-Din Yusuf known as Saladin, the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty.
Saladin became vizier in Cairo in 1169 and ended the Shiite caliphate in 1171.
He then had fortifications built around the capital al-Qahira (Cairo).
It is from his Citadel that Saladin will reign over Egypt, extending his authority over Damascus and Aleppo in Syria.
The Citadel of Saladin later reinforced by al-Kamil who enlarged the towers of al-Haddad and Ramlab
Which controlled the narrow passage near the Muqattam Hills.
Other square towers 25 meters high added to protect the residence of Sultan Al-Kamil in the heart of the enclosure.
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The Citadel of Saladin (Cairo Citadel) history
In this paragraph, Sultan An-Nasir Muhammad ben Qala’un built many constructions,
The most important of which are the Muhammad An-Nasir Mosque,
Completed in 1335, and the Qasr el-Ablaq Palace in black and most importantly, yellow marble.
Al-Muqattam Tower
In the 16th century, the Ottomans controlled Egypt and most importantly, erected in The Citadel of Saladin the Al-Muqattam Tower above the main entrance.
A tower 25 meters high and 24 meters in diameter.
The 19th century marked a turning point with the coming to power of Mohamed Ali Pasha in 1805 (Mehemet Ali).
The Citadel will undergo major transformations with the reconstruction of the surrounding walls and most importantly, many interior houses.
But the most remarkable building is the one that now dominates the Citadel of Saladin.
And The Mohamed Ali Mosque in Ottoman Baroque style comparable to the great mosques of Istanbul.
In the northern quarter of the Saladin Citadel Cairo is the Harem Palace of Mohamed Ali, built near the Al-Qullah Gate.
Mosque of Muhammad Ali
At the entrance to the palace, there is a statue of Ibrahim Pasha, the adopted son of Muhammad Ali Pasha, Governor of Syria.
Today the palace houses the Military Museum of Egypt.
The Ottomans rebuilt the wall that separates the northern and southern quarters, as well as the Al-Qullah gate.
They also built the largest tower of today’s The Citadel of Saladin, Al Moqattam.
Which rises above the entrance to the Citadel Egypt by the Salah Salem road.
This tower is 25 meters high and has a diameter of 24 meters.
In 1754 the Ottomans rebuilt the walls of the lower quarter and added a fortified gate called the El-Azab Gate.
In conclusion, From the 16th century until the French occupation, the strict military structure of the Ottoman soldiers gradually deteriorated.
About Saladin Citadel Cairo
During this period, Azab’s troops began to marry and even built their own quarters in the fortress.
By the middle of the 17th century, Cairo Citadel had become a residential area with private shops, public baths and a maze of small streets.
The Ottoman Mohamed Ali Pasha, the founder of modern Egypt,
Who came to power in 1805, made considerable changes to The Citadel of Saladin.
He rebuilt much of the outer walls and replaced several of the dilapidated inner buildings,
Making the northern quarter his private domain, while the southern quarter was open to the public.
His Mohamed Ali Mosque, built in the so-called Ottoman Baroque style.
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Which imitates the great mosques of Istanbul, now dominates the southern quarter.
South of the mosque in Hawsh is the Gowhara Palace (Palace of Jewels).
It built between 1811 and 1814 above the site of the striped palace
In conclusion, Opposite the mosque of Mohamed An Nasir and housed the Egyptian government until it was moved to Abdine’s palace.
National Police Museum
Today it is the National Police Museum.
The frieze of the six lions at the base of the wall of the National Police Museum seems to be from the Mamluk period,
In conclusion, Mohamed Ali has made them symbols of his power and courage following the example of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.
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Cairo Citadel architecture
Near the Al-Qullah Gate in the northern quarter is the harem palace of Muhammad Ali,
Which built after the same Ottoman model Moreover, as the Jewelry Palace.
The statue of Ibrahim Pasha, however, by Charles Cordier, is at the entrance.
The palace served as a family residence in the Khedive until the government moved to Abdine’s palace.
It was a military hospital during the British occupation, however, which came back under Egyptian control after World War II.
Since 1949 it has the Military Museum of Egypt (founded by King Farouk).
The statue of Sulaiman Pasha was originally in the center of the city, however, Discover now Egypt FAQs
Beyond this museum, there is another small museum of the Attelages
Where the official carriages of the 19th and 20th centuries, borrowed from the museum of Boulac.
Eight carriages of the family of Mohamed Ali presented.
Just behind this museum is the Tower and Turfah, one of the largest of the square towers built by Al-Kamil in 1207.
At the end of the northern quarter, however, there is the Sulaiman Pasha Mosque.
In conclusion, It is the first Ottoman-style mosque established in Egypt and dates from 1528.
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