Citadel, Cairo

4 more images

Cairo Citadel or locally known as Qala'at Salah ad-Din is a medieval fortified promontory built by and during the Ayyubids rule under it's famous ruler Saladin, 1176-1183CE. It was built to protect Cairo from Crusaders attack.

Just beneath the Mokattam hill, the Citadel commands a panoramic view of the city of Cairo. There afre 3 mosques within the promontory and 3 museums. The panorama deck is located at the back entrance of the Muhammad Ali Pasha Mosque. Stay there and watch the sunset -- then again, it closes early, I remember vividly because they started clearing the area of visitors about 15 minutes before 5:00pm... and I've just arrived! Like, I've never even spent an hour and half in the area, or did I?

So I would suggest visiting the Citadel morning or not after 3:00pm, so you'll have enough time to wander around, visit the museums and enter the impressive mosques....and watch pranoramic Cairo behind the big mosque.

Take a taxi from the downtown to the Citadel, fare would be about EGP20 - 30.

2 more images

One of the highest points in a plane city, this is the best place to have a general look over town.

Looking closer, the military constructions and specially the alabaster mosque have precious details.

The Military Museum in Cairo is famous for its rich collection and historical building which was originally a palace during the reign of Mohamed Ali, the founder of the royal family that ruled Egypt from 1805 through 1952. (www.sis.gov.eg).

Since my kids will be studing this at some point in history lessons,,I thought it would be a good idea to see the museum.
It was very exiting for them.

check my military albums for more pictures.

The Citadel is a large fort that now contains apart from 2 mosques, the Military Museum and the Police Museum

The 2 mosques are very different, 1 plainish but with elegance, and the other ornate.

The Military museum is great, well set out, well looked after, pity that about 1/3 of the exhibits were roped off for some reason when I was there.
The Police Museum is a different story. Shoddy, ill prepared, (any archivist would have a nightmare to see the way photographs and documents have been treated.)

The plain (?) mosque had some beautiful stonework and the other mosque (virtually right next door ???) was ornate.

Well worth the visit though

The citadel is one of the places that even the cursory tours tacked on to Nile Cruise/Luxor package holidays do. And it is worth a visit, if only for the views over Cairo and, weather and pollution permitting, the pyramids.

I'm sorry that the people on such guided tours invariably spend far to much time in the Mohammed Ali mosque, which visually dominates this vast complex. Of course Mohammed Ali is a key figure in Egyptian history, and the parties of Egyptian schoolkids being crocodiled around make sense. But as a mosque it's really only got size to commend it: and moreover its a very un-egyptian mosque:architecturally it belongs in Turkey.

Really, there's a full day here. As with any fortification, to understand it you need to walk round the outside first to appreciate it's impregnability. This is a long and often not particularly pleasant walk. Cut it unless you're an obsessive.

Inside there's a lot to see as well. Apart from just seeing the complex itself, there are a couple of museums and a sprinkling of mosques, my favorite being the Suleyman Pasha mosque tucked away at the northern end of the site.

2 more images

The Mohammad Ali Mosque is one of the very few mosques which allows non-muslims to go inside. Wondering if the mosque is still being used for prayers? The answer is YES! So, make sure to dress up accordingly especially for ladies. Be aware that you have to remove your socks as you enter the mosque.

Inside, you will find the tomb of Mohammad..located after the main entrace of Mohammad Ali mosque praying room, on your right side. It is fenced but still you cna have a peek of his tomb.

The mosque as well as the courtyard were designed ottoman Baroque style.

4 more images

Salahuddin Citadel issituated in an elevated area in Cairo giving you a perfect view of the city. The citadel houses offices, mosques and museums.So,spare your time and enjoy every minute that you're inside the citadel.

The Mohammad Ali Mosque is one of the very few mosques which allows non-muslims to go inside. Wondering if the mosque is still being used for prayers? The answer is YES! So, make sure to dress up accordingly especially for ladies. Be aware that you have to remove your socks as you enter the mosque.

Inside, you will find the tomb of Mohammad..located after the main entrace of Mohammad Ali mosque praying room, on your right side. It is fenced but still you can have a peek of his tomb.

The mosque as well as the courtyard were designed Ottoman Baroque style.

Saladin commenced the building of the Citadel in 1176, but it was later enlarged by the Mamluks, who took control of Egypt in the thirteenth century, and by their successors, the Ottomans.

The citadel is also the site of the 19th century Mosque of Mohammed Ali.