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History of The Citadel in Cairo
The historical monument was built between 1176 and 1183 by Salah ud-Din a famous Abbasid ruler. The magnificent fortress was built to protect the city from the attack of the outside crusaders. Salah ad-Din held from Syria and over there each town had a small fortress. Moqattam Hills was strategically the ideal location because, from here, Cairo could be dominated as well as defended from the attack of the outsiders. The Citadel, Cairo is a silent witness to various invasions and the reign of numerous rulers.Description of The Citadel of Cairo
Most modern techniques were used to build the fort. The strong walls of this fortress were 10 meters high and 3 meters thick. Round towers protruding from the walls were built. Bir Yusuf is a well dug inside the fortress. This 87 meters deep well dug out of solid rock was built for incessant water supply for the people inside the fortress. A ramp descending the well was constructed for the animals to descend and drink water. A major part of the fort was built after Salah ad-Din's rule and every invader contributed something or the other to the Citadel. Al-Kamil, nephew of Salah-ud-Din built and enlarged various towers like the Burg al-Hadad (Blacksmith's Tower) and the Burgar Ramlab (Sand Tower).These two towers controlled the narrow pass between the Citadel and the Moqattam Hills. He also built number of towers surrounding the perimeters of the walls of the Citadel. Square in shape, these towers were 25 meters tall and 30 meters wide. After the death of his father, Al Kamil built the Abdeen Palace in the southern enclosure of The Citadel. An Nasir Mohammed, another ruler built the gigantic An Nasir Mohammed Mosque inside the fortress. He built the Great Hall of Justice with a grand, green dome which towered above all the structures. Qasar al Ablaq or the Striped Palace built by him is a magnificent structure. It is built with stripes of black and yellow marble. The National Police Museum is also located inside the Citadel. The Abdeen Palace inside the Citadel has been converted into a Military Museum.
The magnificent fortress of the Citadel is one of the best tourist attractions in Cairo, which attracts hordes of foreign tourists.
