Salah El Din Citadel in Cairo

Salah El Din Citadel

Who was Salah El Din Al-Ayyubi? Salah El-Din (known as Saladin to European historians) overthrew the Fatimid dynasty in 1171 AD, establishing the new Sunni Ayyubid Caliphate. Given the threat of invasion by European crusader armies, Saladin decided to improve the fortifications of the city, and in 1176 AD he began construction of a wall that would encircle both Al-Qahira (today Islamic) and Fustat (Old Cairo).

Salah El Din Citadel in Cairo

Salah El-Din was born in 1137 AD in Tikrit, Iraq, He studied the Quran, theology, astronomy, mathematics, and law. As a member of the military at that time, he was trained by his uncle Asad-al-Din Shirkoh, who was a commander of the Zengid Dynasty. Salah El-Din was capable of taking on leading responsibilities during military campaigns, and that’s because of his extraordinary performance during battles. His great capabilities and cleverly executed tactics also allowed him to move on from being a soldier to being the King of both Egypt and Syria. His power enabled him to overthrow the Fatimids and maintain authority in Egypt.

Salah El-Din Citadel in Cairo

Salah El Din Citadel

The Citadel became the centerpiece of these great fortifications, protecting the city from the heights of the rocky hills that overlooked it. Completed in 1183 AD, Saladin’s Citadel served as the seat of government in Egypt for 700 years until Khedive Ismail moved into Abdeen Palace in newly constructed Downtown Cairo in the 1870s.

Salah El-Din Citadel

The Citadel looks very different today than it did in its original capacity as a fortress for the Crusader armies. It has been expanded and remodeled by many different rulers. In the 14th century, Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammed built a mosque there that still bears his name and the Southern Enclosure of the fort next to Saladin’s original walls. The most noticeable changes came in the 19th century.

Muhammed Ali mosque

Salah El Din

However, when Muhammed Ali came to power, he was determined to erase the influence of the Mamluks, who had controlled Egypt for six centuries before him, and demolished their palaces within the fortress. He also built one of Cairo’s most recognizable landmarks. His Alabaster Mosque, built in memory of a deceased son, towers over the rest of the complex. Its silhouette is the most dominant feature of Cairo’s eastern skyline. In addition to these two mosques, the Citadel also contains the National Military Museum, full of uniforms and weapons from Egypt’s long history, a Police Museum, and several more museums dedicated to the palace of Muhammed Ali.

Salah El-Din Citadel

There is also a third mosque in the Northern Enclosure behind the National Military Museum. Suleiman Pasha Mosque is not as large in size as either Muhamed Ali’s or Al-Nasir’s, but it is ornately decorated and a beautiful example of an Ottoman-style mosque. Despite all of this, the highlight of the Citadel may be the view that it offers over Cairo. Looking out of the city, one can appreciate how the city earned its nickname, ‘ The City of a Thousand Minarets and on a clear day one can even make out the outline of the Giza Pyramids in the distance.

FAQs

why Cairo is tourist attraction +

its one of an oldest capitals in the old world captive sightseeing gave a great chance to the travelers to explore an old capitals more than 5000 years has more than hunnerts or toughens of historical sites

what's is Cairo known by +

its very known with the one of the old seven wonder of the world Giza great pyramids , khan el kahili bazars , old Cairo mosques and churches and many more sights

is it safe in Cairo to wonder around +

its so safe to wake around the city by your self or with a cap to explore the city

what's Cairo famous attraction +

The Giza Pyramids complex, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, Cairo, the hanging church, Al Azher mosque, Ibn Tulan, and many other amazing sites of the city may all be seen on a Cairo day tour.

Alexandria Attractions

Aswan Attractions

Cairo Attractions

Do and do not in Egypt

Egypt Destinations

Egyptian Culture and Travel Info

Egyptian Festivals and ceremony's

Egyptian gods

Egyptian pharaohs

Egyptian temples and sightseen

Luxor Attractions

Nile Valley

Red Sea and Sinai

Outdoor Activities to Do from El Gouna

ِAncient Egyptian History

Plan Your Trip!

No. of Adults( + 12 years )

No. of Children( 2 to 11 years )

No. of Infants( 0 to 2 years )

Suggested Tours

13 days Egypt Vacation And Luxury Nile Cruise Dahabiya

Egypt Vacation And Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise Package, Come across the wonders of Egypt while sailing on a luxury Nile cruise for a family or a small group in these Egypt tours. See the most remar...

Start From

7500 $

Trip To Egypt Pyramids And Nile By Sleeping Train-King Tut Tours

8 days Trip to Egypt Pyramids And Nile by Sleeping Train

Trip to Egypt Pyramids And Nile by Sleeping Train Discover Egypt's best sites on an exhilarating journey across the country. It is a customized tour of the Nile River and railways. You will be trav...

Start From

1780 $

10 days Private Luxury Tour of Egypt

Private Luxury Tour of Egypt Step into the famous land of the pharaohs and wonder at its ancient temples, pyramids, tombs, mummies, and culture. Travel across Egypt and down the Nile on the 10-day ...

Start From

2800 $

1 Day Cairo Tour Giza pyramids and grand Egyptian museum

1 Day Cairo Tour Giza pyramids and grand Egyptian museum might be very short, especially in a country like Egypt, but it sure packs a punch. It's the perfect solution for anyone passing through th...

Start From

70 $

1 Day Trip from Luxor to Cairo by Plane

1-day trip from luxor to Cairo By plane begins with meeting our driver who will pick you up from your location to the airport to catch your plane to Cairo and then fly there upon your landing our E...

Start From

400 $

1 day tour to Egyptian Museum and Old Cairo

Egyptian Museum & Old Cairo Day Tour starts with picking you up from your hotel in Cairo and joining your private. Egyptologist tour guide by a private air-conditioned vehicle to start your Cai...

Start From

50 $

Suggested Tours

You Might Also Like

About king tut tours

Travel Categories

Follow Us

#1on TripAdvisor

Salah El Din Citadel in Cairo

Suggested Tours

You Might Also Like

You May Also Like

Nubian Museum

Al-Azhar Mosque

Temple of Esna

St Virgin Mary Church

Dendera temple

Madinet Habu

About king tut tours

Travel Categories

Follow Us

#1on TripAdvisor