 | Cairo Citadel Reviews | Tips 31 - 40 of 126 |  |
Dominating the eastern skyline is the Citadel (Al Qalaa). Three different mosques, several palaces (now not very good museums) and fortifications providing fabulous views across the city. The Citadel has ben here since the 12th century but has been constantly modified, built upon, renovated etc. The most dominant of all on the skyline is the huge (and ugly) Mosque of Mohammed Ali, built in the first half of the 19th century and described as a giant toad. The domes were demolished and rebuilt in the 1930s. The interior is huge, classic mosque decor is a little gaudy and 'out to impress'. Leave a Comment
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Opposite the entrance to an-Nasir is a gateway through which is a terrace overlooking Islamic Cairo. It provides great views, and on a clear day you can see, apparently, as far as the Pyramids. If you are lucky enough to be there when this happens, make the most of it - Cairo pollution rarely gives you such an opportunity! As you can see from the photos, we were not that lucky - overlooking the Mosques of Sultan Hassan and the Rifei Mosque in the Midan Salah al Din immediately below the Citadel as as far as we could see!
You'll also find the remnants of various buildings sacked over a period ot time which are good for a bit of exploration. Leave a Comment
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Walk along Citadel walls and admire the phanoramic views of the city. There is the sightseeing spot from where the most visitors take their pictures. As I went there about 3 pm. and it was a very hot day, it was not crowded at all so I could take my time enjoying the views. Leave a Comment
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The almost square courtyard of the Mosque is bordered by covered galleries with arcades an all four sides.
On the west wall of the courtyard stands an interesting iron clock tower with a tea salon on the upper level, which unfortunately never worked.
The clock tower, in a mixture of neo-gothic and oriental styles, was given by the French King Louis Philippe in exchange for the obelisk from Luxor which now stands in the Place de la Concorde in Paris. (see my Paris page)
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The stunning cenoteaph of Mohammed Ali is located on the southwest corner of the mosque.
Enclosed by a beautiful bronze openwork, the rich decorated cenotaph is made of white marble.
Mohammed Ali was originally buried in Housh el Basha and his body was moved to the Mosque by one of his successors, King Abbas I.
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"Alabaster Mosque" or Mohamed Ali's Mosque is must see thing in Cairo. It was all covered by alabaster. Now, there are just some parts. In the court of mosque, there is Clock Tower which Mohamed Ali got from French Government. For that present, he gave French one of the obelisks from Luxor which is now situated in Paris, at Concord Square. Leave a Comment
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Home to rulers of Egypt for 700 years, and it's a must see when you're in Cairo.
Entrance fee to the Citadel area includes a weapons musuem, a history museum. Best part is still the citadel itself,which looks uncannily like the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul.
Simply THE most beautiful interior of any mosque I've ever seen, and that's quite a statement, cosidering the superb designs in many other mosques.
A superb view of the entire Cairo-- on a good day you can see as far as the Giza pyramids! Unlike other parts of Cairo that are packed back to back, this is a nice spacious place to sip coffee with friends at Illy's and enjoy sun fantastic sun and scenery.
SECRET ATTRACTION: Go with a local/guide and get him to negotiate with a policemen on duty. A bit of baksheesh will get you past a set of closed doors to the abandoned prison, where former presidents were imprisoned once. Not open tothe public, though funnily enough there are plastic figurines of prisoners inside the cells, so perhaps it was open for all once. Leave a Comment
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The interior of the Mosque of Mohammed Ali is a jewel.
Its walls and floor are entirely made of yellow alabaster tranforming it in an amazingly beautiful monument.
I couldn't get enough of watching its impressing dome which is about 50 metres high and is surrounded by a number of smaller half domes.
Impressive as well are the numerous lights and the Koran texts that are decorating the walls.
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The National Military Museum used to be the harem palace of Mohammed Ali. It now houses ceremonial things; uniforms, weapons, etc. There's also a beautiful 3D model of the whole Citadel located on the top floor of this museum.
At the front of this museum are statues of Egyptian kings in the past as well as tanks and planes from the Arab-Israeli wars. And then there is the statue of Ibrahim Pasha from the Ottoman to welcome you, gracing the big lawn area of Midan Opera. Leave a Comment Directions: In the northern enclosure of the citadel, with the statue of Ibrahim Pasha at the very front of the museum.
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Abdeen Palace was built in 1863 on a 25-feddan area by Egyptian, Italian, French and Turkish architects. In 1872 the lush and luxurious palace became the seat of the government. Abdeen Palace is one of the most famous palaces that were erected during the reign of Mohamed Ali Pasha Dynasty. It was the seat of the government from 1872 - 1952. The palace was hit during the strong 1992 earthquake that jolted Egypt. The palace was named after Abdeen Bay, one of the army commander under Mohamed Ali Basha. The complex features a military museum and a museum of ancient weapons. Leave a Comment
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