The Cairo Citadel is not just a fortress, but a symbol of power that has shaped Egypt`s development for seven centuries. Its history began in 1176 when the legendary Sultan Salah Ad-Din (Saladin), who unified Egypt and Syria, ordered the construction of an impregnable citadel to protect against the threat of the Crusaders. The location was strategically flawless, the Muqattam Hill offering a complete panorama of Fustat (Old Cairo) and the city`s new districts.
The construction, led by Syrian engineers who utilized the experience of Crusader fortresses, stretched over years. The initial fortifications included powerful walls and towers, supplied with water from the 85-meter-deep "Joseph`s Well."
Major Events: From Saladin to Muhammad Ali
The Mamluk Era (1250–1517): The Citadel transformed from a military camp into a luxurious royal residence. Mamluk sultans, such as al-Nasir Muhammad, expanded and strengthened it, erecting palaces and mosques. Here, politics were made, intrigues were woven, and dynasties changed.
The Ottoman Period (from 1517): After the Ottoman conquest of Egypt, the Citadel remained an administrative center but fell into decline. Ottoman pashas ruled from here, but its former splendor faded.
The Era of Muhammad Ali (1805–1848): The Citadel acquired its modern appearance. Muhammad Ali Pasha, the founder of modern Egypt, in 1811 orchestrated the famous "Citadel Massacre" within the fortress, eliminating the Mamluk elite and consolidating his sole power. After this, he began a large-scale reconstruction, demolishing many medieval buildings to erect new symbols of his authority.
Fortress Plan: Three Courtyards and a Stone Belt
The Citadel is divided into three main parts, reflecting its historical development from south to north:
• Southern Part (the oldest): Here lie the remains of structures from Saladin and the Mamluks, including the Mosque of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad and the famous "Joseph`s Well."
• Central Part: The heart of the Citadel from the Muhammad Ali era. Here are located his harem palace (now the National Military Museum), administrative buildings, and the Muhammad Ali Mosque.
• Northern Part (Lower Courtyard): Service and residential buildings, barracks, warehouses. It offers a famous panoramic view.
Main Attractions Preserved to This Day
Muhammad Ali Mosque (The Alabaster Mosque) (1830–1848):
Architecture: A majestic example of Ottoman style with a central dome (52 m) and four semi-domes. Two slender minarets 84 meters high.
Features: Cladding of the lower part with alabaster, a spacious courtyard with a fountain and a clock tower—a gift from the French king. Inside—a luxurious interior and the marble tomb of Muhammad Ali himself.
The National Military Museum of Egypt:
Location: In the former harem palace of Muhammad Ali (Al-Haram Palace).
Exhibition: Covers military history from the Pharaohs to the present day. Includes weapons, armor, trophies, historical dioramas (including the "Siege of Babylon"), and a gallery of paintings. In the courtyard—an exhibition of military equipment (tanks, aircraft, cannons).
Mosque of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad (1318–1335):
Architecture: A gem of the Mamluk era. Notable for its unique faceted minarets clad in green and blue Persian ceramics—the influence of craftsmen from Tabriz.
History: It was the main Friday Mosque of the Citadel during the Mamluk period. Its modest current appearance is the result of neglect in the Ottoman period.
Walls and Towers:
Southern Wall: The powerful fortifications from the Saladin era (12th century) have been preserved—massive, squat towers of dark stone.
Western Wall: Demonstrates the evolution of fortification—here stand the famous round towers from the Mamluk era (14th century), devoid of "dead zones" for firing.
Main Gate: Bab al-Azab ("The Gate of Discipline")—a fortified entrance from the Mamluk times.
Viewing Platform on the Northern Wall:
View: From here opens the most famous panorama of Islamic Cairo. Directly opposite, at the foot of the Citadel, rise two architectural giants:
• The Mosque of Sultan Hassan (1356–1363)—a masterpiece of Mamluk architecture with one of the tallest minarets and a grand interior.
• Al-Rifa`i Mosque (19th–20th centuries)—a royal mausoleum where the Shah of Iran, King Farouk, and other members of the royal family are buried.
What Else is Interesting in the Citadel?
• Al-Gawhara Palace (The Jewel Palace): Built for Muhammad Ali, now a museum with a throne hall and a collection of luxury items.
• Joseph`s Well (Bir Yusuf): A brilliant 12th-century hydraulic structure, 85 meters deep, with a spiral ramp for donkeys that delivered water to the top.
• Suleiman Pasha Mosque (1528): The first Ottoman Mosque in Egypt, located in the Lower Courtyard, built on the site of an older church.
• Police Museum: Tells the history of Egypt`s law enforcement agencies.
• Carriage Exhibition: A collection of historical carriages.
The Cairo Citadel is not just a historical monument, but a key to understanding Egyptian history over the last eight centuries. It embodies the military might of Saladin, the cultural flourishing of the Mamluks, and the state will of Muhammad Ali. The mosques, palaces, powerful walls, and unique city panorama preserved here create a holistic image where each era has left its unique mark.
