The Citadel of Saladin is one of Cairo’s well-preserved medieval fortresses and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. It is one of the most remarkable sights and offers a wide view of the entire city.
From 1176 to 1833 AD, the citadel was fortified under the rule of Saladin to protect the city against attacks. The Islamic center is located under the complex. In the 19th century, the fortress became a seat of government for Muhammed Ali Pasha, at the time when the Ottomans were still politically connected to the state. later the empire was saved by the Ottoman government.
In 1824, a blow demolished several buildings, many of which were not rebuilt. However, from 1828 to 1848, the famous Muhammad Ali Mosque was established on the site under the order of Muhammad Ali.
From a large courtyard, passing a washing fountain, one enters the interior of the house of prayer. Since the interior decoration was finished with alabaster, it became known by the name “Alabaster Mosque”.
The empire of Salah Ad-Din managed to unite Egypt and Syria. Salah El-Din played an important role in the defeat of the Crusaders by successfully recapturing Jerusalem, which in turn helped him make a name for himself in Muslim and Western history. Salah Ad-Din became one of the most respected Muslim figures in the Islamic world due to his chivalry and generosity towards Christians.
Salah El-Din (known to European historians as Saladin) overthrew the Fatimid dynasty in 1171 A.D. and established the new Sunni Ayyubid caliphate. Faced with the threat of invasion by European Crusader armies, Saladin decided to improve the city’s fortifications and began building a wall surrounding both Al-Qahira (now Islamic) and Fustat (Old Cairo) in 1176 CE.
Salah El-Din was born in 1137 in Tikrit, Iraq, and studied Quran, theology, astronomy, mathematics, and law. At that time he was a military officer and was trained by his uncle Asad-al-Din Shirkoh, a commander of the Zengid dynasty.
Salah El-Din was able to take leadership roles in military campaigns and this is due to his exceptional performance during battles. His great skills and skillfully executed tactics also enabled him to become king of Egypt and Syria as a soldier. His power enabled him to overthrow the Fatimids and maintain authority in Egypt.
The citadel became the center of these great fortifications, protecting the city from the heights of the rocky hills that overlooked it. Saladin’s Citadel was completed in 1183 AD and was the seat of government in Egypt for 700 years until Khedive Ismail moved into the Abdeen Palace in the newly built downtown Cairo in the 1870s.
The Citadel looks very different today than it did in its original capacity as a fortress for the Crusader armies. It has been expanded and rebuilt by many different rulers. In the 14th century, Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammed built a mosque there, which still bears his name and the southern enclosure of the fort, in addition to Saladin’s original walls. The most striking changes took place in the 19th century.
There is also a third mosque in the Northern Enclosure behind the National Military Museum. The Muhamed Ali Mosque and the Al-Nasir Mosque are larger than the Suleiman Pasha Mosque, which is a fine example of an Ottoman-style mosque.
When Muhammed Ali came to power, he was determined to eliminate the influence of the Mamluks and destroy their palaces. He also built one of the most famous landmarks in Cairo. His Alabaster Mosque, built-in memory of a deceased son, towers over the rest of the complex. Its silhouette is the dominant feature of Cairo’s eastern skyline.
In addition to these mosques, the Citadel also houses the National Military Museum, with uniforms and weapons from Egypt’s long history. Citadel can be the view it offers over Cairo. Looking out, you can see how the city got its nickname, “The City of a Thousand Minarets,” and on a clear day, you can even make out the outline of the Pyramids of Giza in the distance.
Don’t miss the chance and book one of the best Egypt tours where you will see all the fascinating sights.
