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I visited the Prison Museum during a visit to Cairo in November 2007.
This small museum is located within the city’s Citadel and entry is included in the price of entrance to the Citadel (40 EGP / 4 GBP).
The museum consists of two rows of bleak looking stone prison cells, some of which have exhibitions behind their bars. I didn’t need a guide to show me around the museum, such was its small size, but the attendant insisted on showing me around and giving me a running commentary in return for a small tip (10 EGP / 1 GBP).
The exhibitions behind the bars were all very similar. They featured dimly lit, unfurnished cells and model prisoners. One of the prisoners was from the distant past, while another was supposed to depict a more modern prisoner. Perhaps it is a sign of how little Egyptian prisons have improved over the years that both of these exhibitions looked very similar. Or perhaps it is a reflection of the quality of the museum. I don’t know. Another prisoner was sitting on the floor of his cell with a large stone ball chained to his ankle, while yet another of the exhibitions featured a “famous” prisoner (the attendant’s commentary didn’t elaborate any further than that).
There was a second set of cells located adjacent to the main cells, but the attendant told me that these were the “women’s prison” and were off limits to visitors. A small part of me thought that there might actually be real women prisoners in there to this very day, but that was just my imagination running wild in these depressingly bleak surroundings.
A small museum showing the life of Egyptian prisoners. Will keep you occupied for 10 minutes or so. Leave a Comment
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If travel channels are to be believed, the only thing travel to Egypt is worth for are the pyramids. We won't see the Citadel rated top 10 places not to be missed. Thankfully i took the time to go to the Citadel.
As is, the Citadel is an unpolished gem, literally. The architechtural work is magnificent(lacking a more descriptive word here) though it is a direct copy of the Blue Mosque in Turkey. Its peaceful in the mosque, which by the way is open to all, muslims or otherwise. From the top of the hill, one can savour most of Cairo. Though the pyramid is a distant shadow. The view from the top of the hill must have given Salah-el-din a great advantage for him to win over the war against the crusaders. Leave a Comment Website: http://www.touregypt.net
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In 1176, Saladin (founder of the Ayyubid Empire) began building his fortress on the spur of the Muqattam hills. It was called the Citadel and has always had a garrison.
This was also the home of almost all rulers of Egypt for 800 years. Leave a Comment Website: http://www.touregypt.net
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In the northern enclosure, behind the National Military Museum is the Mosque of Suleyman Pasha. We found it beautiful and more inspiring then the two large ones. According to The Lonely Planet it has been restaured by an arts student.
The care taker slept when we came, but he caught up with us later. He was kind enough to show us some details, the madrassa and some tombs. The latter were very interesting, one with paintings, one with several 'hats', one for each family member and one with views of Caïro and Mekka painted on the walls. He let us take pictures. Leave a Comment Directions: Citadel, through the Bab al-Qalla, cross the large area, into the next garden, at the back, the structure with the domes
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It is quite possible to spend half a day more visiting the mosques, museums and monuments within the Citadel. Not only that, there are fantastic views over Cairo, with the pyramids behind to enjoy. Leave a Comment Directions: South-eastern Cairo
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