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Cairo Citadel

The Citadel of Cairo is situated oppsoite the Muqattam, in Arabic this hill means “cut off”. The citadel is also known as the Saladin Citadel (Qala Salah ad-Din in Arabic). This citadel was fortified by Saladin between 1176 and 1183.

It was completed in 1183–1184 but the wall was still under construction till 1238 which was to cover both Fustat and Cairo. The citadel is located on higher ground and it was the place where rulers stayed until 19th century.

Crowd at the security check of the Cairo Citadel - it was a very busy Friday afternoon
Gates of the complex which gives access to the citadel - due to recent unrest in Egypt, security was tight everywhere
After passing the security check, visitors would walk beside the citadel's defensive wall on LHS
The Muqattam Hill seen from the citadel
Two mosques of the citadel, to left is the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, to right is the Mosque of al-Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad
The Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha is located on higher ground and it is visible when approaching Cairo even
Defensive walls of the citadel
A watch tower built in the walls of the citadel
This sign shows that citadel is also home to the National Military Museum
This tree is trimmed to perfection to show the name of "Allah"

 

A well is built inside the citadel and it is known as Well of Joseph (Yusuf). It is mistakenly linked to Prophet Joseph but in truth it refers to Yusuf (birth name of Saladin). Saladin built this 280 feet well to supply the water to citadel.

Due to very busy day, two ambulances were also on the site - the ticket office was located after the ambulances to the left side
After securing the ticket and dealing with a conman at the ticket office, this corridor brings to the Mosque of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad on RHS
A sign pointing to the Well of Joseph (Yusuf)
Well of Yusuf (birth name of Saladin)
Inner wall of the citadel - access to this part was prohibited
A map of the castle
This part of the citadel gives access to the National Military Museum
Two stone rocks belong to a catapult - this weapon was used for the siege purpose in the past
A catapult with a watchtower in the background
A ruined part of the Cairo Citadel

 

A statue of Muhammad Ali Pasha is placed in front of the National Military Museum. Muhammad Ali Pasha was an Ottoman governor but later he declared himself independent thus forming the independent Egypt. This citadel was also power house of the Mamluks (slave sultans) and then Muhammad Ali Pasha. 

A statue of Muhammad Ali Pasha is shown in front of the National Military Museum
Side view of the statue
Now I have come to the opposite side of the citadel - this impressive gate provides access to the upper part of the citadel
A restaurant inside the Cairo Citadel - this part of the castle is popular among locals
Ruins located on the upper level of the citadel
A camera crew was filming the site
As plaster on the lower part of this wall suggests that this was part of the palace at one stage

 

Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha is unique in Cairo because it is built on the Ottoman architecture style. It was built in 1848. From the citadel, there is a wonderful view of the two mosques, one to the left is the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan and to right is the Al-Rifai Mosque.

Domes and minarets of the Muhammad Ali Pasha Mosque
A side view of the Muhammad Ali Pasha Mosque
The construction of this mosque is based on Ottoman style
Cairo seen from the higher grounds of the Cairo Citadel
View of the two mosques from the citadel - to left is the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, to right is the Al-Rifai Mosque
Lower parts of the Cairo Citadel which are located between the upper ground and the two mosques (al-Rafai and al-Hassan
Most of the time Cairo was covered in smog due to high pollution
Some statues and pieces of plaster were dumped in a square room without a roof
By the looks of the things it seems that at one stage this part of the citadel was a museum
Roof of the lower parts of the Cairo Citadel

 

National Police Museum is also located inside the Cairo Citadel so is the National Military Museum. There is a prison inside the citadel and it was mostly used for the political prisoners but other criminals were also housed here. 

National Police Museum is also located inside the Cairo Citadel
A truck bringing supplies for the restaurant
A young seller beside the Mosque of Muhammad Ali - I stopped there to watch him in action he was so confident in his dealings
A strange looking two parts of a structure beside a wall which gives shape to a mehrab
A map of the prison built inside the citadel
One of the doors of the prison
Second wing of the prison this was in ruins that's why there were no people there
Third wing of the prison
Inner walls of the Cairo Citadel
A minaret of the Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque

 

After Mohammed Ali’s grandson Ismail moved his residence to the Abdeen Palace, the Citadel became a military garrison. The British army was barracked here during WWII, and Egyptian soldiers still have a small foothold, although most of the Citadel is open for tourists. 

An iron structure between the al-Gawhara Palace and Muhammad Ali Mosque
Walls of the Cairo Citadel
A side view of the newer part of the defensive wall
Visitors coming to the higher ground from a ramp next to the al-Gawhara Palace
Mosque of Muhammad Ali seen from the lower courtyard of the al-Gawhara Palace
An impressive looking arch of one of the inner gates
An inner courtyard of the Cairo Citadel
An area looking very quiet compared with other parts
It was time to leave for the most visitors - people coming from the upper part of the citadel
A sign showing Muhammad Ali Pasha and his mosque in the background
When coming out of the citadel, gentle slopes bring visitors on the lower grounds of the city
Walls of the Cairo Citadel
One final look at the green dome of the al-Nasir Mosque and the Mokattam Tower of the citadel