The Citadel Officially Joined the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2006
The Citadel of Saladin is considered an important historical and cultural heritage site, having been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2006.
The Description of the Citadel
The Citadel of Saladin, historically known as the Citadel of the Mountain, is a defensive fortress built during the Islamic era in Cairo, Egypt.
The Citadel of Saladin (or the Citadel of the Mountain) in Cairo is a masterpiece of medieval military architecture.
The Location
Cairo, Egypt - At the foot of the Mokattam Mountain. It was built atop the Mokattam Mountain as a formidable fortress and seat of government.
The other names for the Citadel
Historically known as the Citadel of the Mountain
A Brief History of the Citadel
The construction and Completion
Saladin began its construction between 572 AH/1176 CE and 579 AH/1183 CE, but it was not completed during his lifetime. It was finished by Sultan al-Kamil ibn al-Adil in 604 AH/1207 CE. It remained the seat of government in Egypt until the reign of Khedive Ismail, who moved the seat of government to Abdin Palace.
The Citadel is divided into two sections
A northern (military) section
whose construction was begun by Sultan Saladin Yusuf ibn Ayyub in 572 AH/1176 AD, and continued during the reign of his brother, King al-Adil.
And a southern (residential) section
which was completed by his nephew, King al-Kamil.
Thus, the Citadel became one of the largest military fortification projects of the Middle Ages.
The Importance of Saladin's Citadel
1- Complete military control over the Cairo skyline due to its strategic geographical location atop one of the promontories of the Muqattam Mountain.
2- Its historical impregnability due to its construction on a rocky plateau surrounded by two deep valleys—making it a natural and difficult-to-penetrate fortress since ancient times.
3- Comprehensive security for the city, making it a major residence for kings and presidents.
For the value of its location, the Citadel served as the official seat of government and residence for the sultans and kings of Egypt for nearly 700 years, beginning in the 13th century AD during the Ayyubid dynasty, until the seat of government moved to Abdeen Palace in the 19th century.
What does the castle contain?
The castle is characterized by
1- Massive walls
2- Tall towers
The notable features within the castle
1- Several mosques (to be mentioned later)
2- A well
3- Several museums (to be mentioned later)
4- Several towers (to be mentioned later)
First: Mosques Inside the Citadel of Saladin
1- The Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, also known as the Alabaster Mosque
It was commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1265 AH/1848 CE, on a site previously occupied by palaces dating back to the Mamluk era. This mosque became known as the Alabaster Mosque due to the marble panels covering its interior and exterior walls. Its two minarets are the tallest in Egypt, each reaching a height of 84 meters.
To view photos and more information about the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, please visit the following link
2- The Mosque of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun
The Mosque of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad was the official mosque of the Citadel during the Mamluk era. Located in the southern section of the Citadel of Saladin, it was commissioned by Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun in 718 AH/1318 CE and rebuilt in 735 AH/1335 CE. This mosque enjoyed the patronage of subsequent Mamluk sultans and was used by the Mamluk residents of the Citadel. During the British occupation (1882 CE), it was used as a prison and military storehouses, leading to its destruction. It was restored in 1948 CE.
To view photos and more information about the Mosque of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, please visit the following link
3- Suleiman Pasha al-Khadim Mosque (Sariya al-Jabal)
The mosque is named after its founder, Suleiman Pasha al-Khadim, the governor of Egypt during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. It was built on the ruins of a Fatimid-era mosque in the Citadel in 935 AH/1528 CE. Sariya al-Jabal Mosque is considered the first example of a mosque built in the Ottoman style. It is surrounded by a wall and accessed by staircases on two sides. Its minaret is topped with a pointed, conical spire shaped like a pencil.
To view photos and more information about Suleiman Pasha Mosque (Sariya al-Jabal), please visit the following link
Second: The Towers Inside Saladin's Citadel
The Military Fortifications
The citadel consists of a number of structures surrounded by strong defensive walls, which follow the irregular shape of the site. These walls are punctuated by towers and gates built of stone. The walls and their towers are characterized by their massive size. Most of Saladin's Citadel's towers, numbering 18, are located in the northern section. The towers built during the reign of Sultan Saladin are almost perfectly semicircular in shape – and were later expanded during the reign of Al-Adil. The towers built during the reign of Al-Adil are square-based and straight, and each consists of several stories with rooms and arrow slits.
The northern part of the citadel and its towers received attention in terms of both restoration and additions in later periods
From the Mamluk era to the reign of Muhammad Ali and his dynasty, this area was used militarily. Military use of this area continued during the British occupation of Egypt. This area was opened to the public in the 1980s, after being developed and rehabilitated as a museum garden and a venue for cultural events.
Some of the most famous towers in the northern part
Al-Muqattam Tower
Al-Safa
Karkilian
Al-Tarfa
Al-Muballat
Al-Muqawsar
Al-Ramla
Al-Haddad
Al-Sahra Tower
The Imam Towers (Bab al-Qarafa Towers)
The Blacksmith's Tower
The largest of these towers, its construction dates back to the reign of Sultan Saladin (567-589 AH / 1171-1193 AD). Built of stone, it has a diameter of 22 meters and a height of 21.70 meters. Its original design was semi-circular, but it was modified and expanded to a near-circular shape by Al-Malik Al-Adil (596-615 AH / 1200-1218 AD). The tower consists of two stories and has undergone several modifications and additions. Its original interior design consisted of a central vaulted space ending in three arrow slits. These slits were converted into entrances during Al-Malik Al-Adil's additions, leading to a semi-circular passageway that, in turn, led to five rectangular vaulted chambers ending in openings in the tower's exterior walls on both the ground and upper stories. The exterior walls were also equipped with machicolations, which were projecting windows used to hurl liquids at attackers from above.
The Ramla Tower
The Ramla Tower is located at the intersection of the eastern and northern sides of the citadel wall; hence, it is called the Corner Tower. Its construction dates back to the reign of Sultan Saladin (567-589 AH / 1171-1193 AD), and it was overseen by Baha' al-Din Qaraqush. This tower is approximately 20.80 meters high and is built of stone in a semi-circular shape with a diameter of 18 meters. It consists of two floors, each containing a central hall opening onto three rooms that terminate in loopholes. These loopholes are narrow openings on the outside that widen on the inside, used for firing arrows and spears. The tower was expanded during the reign of King al-Adil (596-615 AH / 1200-1218 AD), when the arms of the halls were converted into doorways leading to rectangular rooms covered by vaults. Each room ends in a loophole. The area between the Ramla Tower and the Haddad Tower contains a passageway with guard entrances, each entrance having a loophole.
The Tiled Tower
It consists of two floors and is distinguished by its perpendicular layout, allowing for precise archery.
The Muqattam Tower
It's located in the far north, it gained military importance due to its strategic location, the military use of this area continued during the British occupation of Egypt.
Third: The Joseph's Well, also known as the Citadel Well or the Snail Well
Sultan Saladin commissioned his minister, Baha' al-Din Qaraqush, to build a well to supply the Citadel with water during sieges. It is located at the far southwestern end of the Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun and became known as "Joseph's Well" after Saladin (Saladin Yusuf ibn Ayyub). It was also known as "Snail Well" and "Citadel Well." Its construction dates back to the time of the Citadel's construction, between 572-589 AH / 1176-1193 AD.
The well is distinguished by
A unique architectural design, reaching a depth of approximately 90 meters, and consisting of...
To view photos and more information about Joseph's Well, please visit the following link
The Castle Museums
Abdeen Palace
Finally: To learn about the Citadel Massacre and the end of Mamluk rule in Egypt, please visit this link.
