Joseph's Well is considered one of the oldest waterwheels in Egypt
Does the well have other names besides the Citadel of Saladin's Well?
Yes, the well has several other names, such as:
Joseph's Well
Snail Well
Citadel Well
Or Job's Well
Why was it named this way?
It is called the Snail Well. It is a historical engineering marvel located inside the Citadel of Saladin in Cairo.
It was named Joseph's Well after Sultan Saladin Yusuf ibn Ayyub, who ordered its excavation. It has no connection to the Prophet Joseph (peace be upon him), as is commonly believed in some folk tales.
The Location and Origin
It is located at the far southwestern end of the Mosque of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, within the walls of the Citadel.
The Founder
It was ordered to be excavated by Sultan Saladin, and its construction was overseen by his minister, Baha' al-Din Qaraqush.
What was the main purpose of building this well inside the Citadel?
To secure a permanent and independent water source for the Citadel and its military garrison during times of siege.
Who was Saladin's minister, and what was he known for?
His name was Baha' al-Din Qaraqush.
He was known for
His extreme decisiveness
His complete seriousness
His unwavering commitment to carrying out his orders
Therefore, he was tasked by Saladin with overseeing the construction of the Citadel of Saladin, located in the heart of Cairo, which covers an area of approximately 70 acres. The Ayyubid sultan also reappointed his minister, Qaraqush, to oversee the excavation of "Joseph's Well," which lies within the Citadel of Saladin, also known as the Citadel of the Mountain.
The Qaraqush's Rule - Are you Egyptian? Have you ever heard this saying?
A common expression among Egyptians, used to describe injustice and tyranny, this phrase is attributed to Prince Baha' al-Din Qaraqush. It has remained on the tongues of Egyptians in their daily lives for generations, nearly a thousand years. Few scholarly studies have addressed the injustice done to this man, one of the greatest engineers and builders in Islamic history. Strangely, all this misconception and negative reputation, which suggests oppression and tyranny, stems from a book written by one of Qaraqush's rivals and spiteful opponents of his time, Ibn Mamati, who wrote about him in the book: (Al-Fashush fi Ma'rifat Akhbar Qaraqush), in which he described him as ignorant, foolish, oppressive, and tyrannical. How far the accusations of the writers are from the truth! Qaraqosh was an engineering genius wronged by history. His life was full of giving and dedication, and Saladin relied on him for nearly twenty years. It was necessary to clarify, in fairness to the truth, this injustice that was attached to a great figure in Islamic history, and a renowned engineering and military mind, which needs fairness and correction.
The Construction Date
It was dug concurrently with the construction of the Citadel between 1176 and 1193 AD (572-589 AH).
The Well of Joseph is considered one of the oldest waterwheels in Egypt. Its historical story begins with the commencement of the construction of the Cairo Citadel, when Baha' al-Din Qaraqush, the close minister of Saladin, saw that wisdom and intelligence dictated the digging of this well in the rock to bring water during the siege of the Citadel. For many years, the Well of Joseph remained the lifeblood of the Cairo Citadel. Its construction dates back to the Ptolemaic era, based on comparisons with the wells of Tell el-Amarna in the Minya Governorate of Egypt. Qaraqush was commissioned to build and engineer it for the benefit of the surrounding area, and he later rebuilt it. It is worth noting that the well is located amidst vast areas that were not otherwise utilized for any purpose.
The Well's Architectural and Engineering Design
The well is considered a rare masterpiece of medieval Islamic architecture due to its intricate rock carving.
Its Depth
Its total depth reaches approximately 90 meters below ground level, of which about 85 meters are carved into the rock. It is said that one descends to this depth by about 300 steps.
The Well's Levels
The well is divided into two main levels
The Upper Level
Extends to a depth of approximately 50 meters and is the widest.
The Middle Level
The Lower Level
Extends to a depth of 40 meters, reaching the groundwater level.
The workings of the Citadel Well
The upper level, approximately 45 meters deep, is the widest. The waterwheel within it—still in operation today—drew water from various basins at the top of the lower level, which is about 50 meters deep. This lower level also contains a waterwheel for drawing and raising the water using young oxen. These oxen were moved to work on the upper waterwheel once they grew up. After some time, the oxen were slaughtered, and the meat was distributed among the hardworking laborers at Joseph's Well, as well as the soldiers and residents of the Citadel perched on Mount Muqattam in Cairo.
The Story of the Water's Salinity and the Reason for Building the Aqueducts
When the well was first dug, its water was fresh and potable. However, when Qaraqush wanted to increase the water supply and extend the excavation deeper into the mountain, a salty spring gushed forth, altering the well's freshness. This change later prompted Saladin to consider alternatives, leading to the construction of the famous Aqueducts to transport fresh water directly from the Nile River to the Citadel.
The Archaeological and Historical Value of Joseph's Well
Perhaps what led some to consider Joseph's Well one of the wonders of architecture is that it was hewn into firmly rooted rock, to a depth of approximately ninety meters—85 meters of which are carved into the rock itself.
This was necessary to access its fresh water, but over time, circumstances led to the well becoming contaminated with salt water. Opinions generally agree on the immense archaeological, historical, and spatial value of Joseph's Well, which is imbued with the fragrance and sanctity of a glorious past. Its historical significance is further enhanced by being the largest and deepest aqueduct in the world.
It also represented the most advanced water-carrying technology during the time of Saladin.
The Well's Importance at That Time
Historians and eyewitnesses confirm that the fortress's water was relied upon by warriors and soldiers for agriculture and watering livestock.
It was also used for cooking. While it was rarely used for drinking due to its not being entirely fresh, during periods of scarcity or depletion of fresh water, they would treat and purify the well's water for irrigation.
They said about the well
On the authority of Ibn Abd al-Zahir, al-Maqrizi mentioned—in one of his works—
descriptions of Joseph's Well, saying: “This well is one of the wonders of construction. Cows circle from the top, carrying water from a conveyor in the middle. Cows circle in the middle, carrying water from the bottom. It has a path to the water, from which the cows descend to their source in a passage. All of this is carved stone, and its water is sweet. It is said that when the well was dug, its water was sweet, so Qaraqush or his deputies wanted to increase its water supply, so they widened the hole in the rock, and a salty spring emerged, changing its sweetness.” Perhaps the technological revolution that swept through the world of water resources, after many centuries and the passage of time, brought about tremendous progress, resulting in the invention of high-quality equipment and pumps of great benefit. These helped facilitate access to water in an easy and astonishing way. Therefore, Joseph's Well was abandoned, and its vital and important role, which it performed with exceptional efficiency, was dispensed with. Bygone eras and times.
Does visiting Joseph's Well/The Citadel Well permitted?
Access to Joseph's Well is restricted to researchers and specialists in archaeology and restoration work. The well lies behind massive, locked doors that are not opened to visitors due to the extreme danger they pose to life. The well is very deep and urgently needs restoration, as well as the construction of high, secure walls to ensure safe passage for those wishing to admire this captivating architectural treasure.
The Aqueduct of Cairo, also known as the Mamluk Aqueduct or Cairo Citadel Aqueduct, is a medieval water channel system in Cairo. It consists of a hexagonal tower with six waterwheels on its roof and a large central basin to prevent water seepage. It was first designed and built during the Ayyubid period (in the reign of Saladin and his successors) but was later redesigned by several Mamluk sultans to expand the water supply to the Cairo Citadel. Although it is no longer operational, much of the aqueduct structure, including the water-drawing tower, still stands.
Its Importance
Its purpose was to supply the Citadel of Saladin with water and transport Nile water to the Citadel.
Its Location
The aqueduct begins at Fom El-Khalig Square and ends at Sayyida Aisha Square and Mosque. It separates two districts: Old Cairo (on the right) and Sayyida Zeinab (on the left).
The Description of the Aqueducts
The architecture of these aqueducts consists of a massive wall extending from the mouth of the canal to Sayyida Aisha Square, having previously extended to the Citadel. This wall was built of hewn stone, and its course ran over a large series of pointed arches (qanats) that terminated in a series of large wells within the Citadel.
The date of building
These aqueducts were originally built by Sultan Al-Nasir Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub (Saladin), the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty in Egypt.
They were then completely renovated by Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun in 712 AH (1312 AD).
Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun rebuilt them entirely in two phases. During these phases, he constructed four waterwheels on the Nile at the mouth of the canal to raise water from a small inlet near the observation wall, known today as Istabl Antar, opposite the Mosque of the Prophet's Footprint. This building was later converted into an armory by Muhammad Ali Pasha during his rule.
Later, during his reign, Sultan Al-Ghuri added a water intake with six waterwheels nearby. From the Lady Nafisa Mosque to strengthen the flow of water reaching the Citadel's wells.
The wall recently underwent comprehensive restoration and development to revive it as one of the most prominent cultural landmarks in the heart of Cairo.
