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Citadel of Cairo

Citadel of Cairo

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Cairo is the Citadel. Citadel - one of the greatest monuments of medieval architecture. This castle rises majestically above the horizon in the east of Cairo. Especially pronounced medieval stronghold, if you look at it from the north.

First place is now the citadel, was the location of a small military apron, which was created in 810 by Mr. Oe. Hatim Ibn Hartama, who was then the local governor. This place was known for its cool and is perfectly suited for rest weary soldiers. But the real strategic value of this place the Governor does not understand. Between 1176 and 1183, Salah al-Din, created the first fortified area to protect from attacks by the Crusaders, and then a small fortress, which permanently stationing military garrison. Originally it was a small fortress and a royal city.

Legend has it that Salah ad-Din chose the site solely due to the healing air. The legend says that the governor had ordered to put up pieces of meat around Cairo, and keep track of when it is bad. All the pieces of meat spoiled for 1 day, except for pieces that were in the area of the Citadel, where it was fresh a few days. We do not know how right legend, but the act of Salah al-Din was very wise. The chosen location with an important strategic advantage and allowed to dominate Cairo and successfully defend it from enemies. Salah al-Din had come from Syria, where every town has some kind of fortress, which served as a reference point for the local ruler, so it is natural that this tradition, he suffered in Egypt.

Citadel may be called the greatest monument of fortification architecture. Large round towers were built jutting from the walls so that defenders can engage in direct flanking fire on those who have climbed the stairs during the assault. The walls surrounding the fortress were 10 meters in height and 3 meters in thickness and shielded the inhabitants of the fortress.

In the early photographs of Citadel, on the north side, we see that the fortress was built next to the huge water reservoir - the source of drinking water which was dug specifically for the inhabitants of the fortress of fresh water. The depth of the water reservoir surrounded by a rampart, reaching 87 meters. With special arrangements in special wells with water lowered the animals to drink. Today, unfortunately, this area is closed to tourists.Citadel of Cairoзакрыта для туристов.

Most of the fortifications of the Citadel was built after the Board of Salah ad-Din. Architecture of the fortress has been significantly changed in the period of its possession by the British, with many unique architectural structures of the past centuries were destroyed.
 
After the death of Salah al-Din and his nephew, al-Kamil ', reinforced the fortress, extending several towers. In particular, he has built in 3 times more towers Burg al-Haddad (Blacksmith Tower) and Burgar-Ramlab. These two towers are now fully controls the narrow passage between the citadel hill and Muqattam. At the nearby hills of Al-Kamil also built a number of large towers along the perimeter walls, three of which can still be seen overlooking the square of the fortress. This is a massive architectural structures up to 25 meters (80 feet) in height and 30 meters (100 feet) in width. In 1218 AD. Oe. after the death of his father, the son of Sultan al-Kamil, moved his residence into a fortress, where he built a palace. This palace in the middle of the nineteenth century became the seat of government of Egypt.
 
Serious strengthening of the Southern Corps was made Nasir Muhammad, one of the most progressive sultans of the era, who ruled during several periods (1294-1295, 1299-1309 and 1310-1341) AD. Oe. Nasir Muhammad destroyed most of the earlier buildings of the southern shell, and replaced them with a much more grandiose buildings. Unfortunately, today survived one single structure built by this Sultan - Nasir Mohammed Mosque. The construction of this mosque was started in 1318 and completed in 1355 near the main gate. We also know that he built a large hall of justice with a big and green dome, which stands proudly above the other buildings in the southern part. Next to it was built the palace of Qasr al-Ablaq of black and yellow marble. This palace, used for official ceremonies and public affairs, was one of the most beautiful buildings in the entire complex.
 
During the Ottoman possession, 1517 and prior to the twentieth century, except for a brief period of French occupation, were built the main building of the fortress, which we can see today.
 
The Turks have restored the wall that separated North and South building of the fortress. They also built up a huge tower in the Citadel Burg al-Muqattam which rises above the entrance to the fortress of Salah Saalem highway. This tower is 25 meters (80 feet) in height and has a diameter of 24 meters (79 feet). In 1754, the Turks restored the walls of the lower level and added a heavily fortified gate of Bab el-Azab.

Since the late 16 th century until the French occupation of the laws in the military structure of the Ottoman Empire became more democratic. During this period, wars were not only allowed to marry while in service but also build their own homes for their families on the territory of the fortress. By the mid 17 th century castle was closed residential area with many private shops and other small businesses, with public baths, and a maze of narrow streets.

The ruler of the Ottoman Empire, Muhammad Ali Pasha - one of the great builders of Modern Egypt, came to power in 1805, and made many significant changes to the capacity of the Citadel. He restored a lot of exterior walls, which seriously destroyed, and updated the interiors of many buildings inside the fortress. He also changed the designation of the northern and southern blocks. North Building of the fortress he has made to its private ownership, while the southern building was opened to the public. HE Mohamed Ali mosque, built in Baroque style, is called the Ottoman and imitates the great religious mosques of Istanbul, now dominates the southern part of the fortress.

At the end of the northern building is the mosque of Suleiman Pasha. This was the first mosque built in the Ottoman style mosque built in Egypt and dates back to 1528 Mr. Oe. The mosque was built to serve as an early Ottoman army.

Today the Citadel is the most popular tourist attraction after the Egyptian monuments of the Pharaohs. At the fortress you can walk for days, crossing the era of the Middle Ages to the present day, and vice versa. If you visit Egypt, be sure to take time to visit Cairo with its wonderful attractions, foremost among which is the Citadel.


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