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Feel the Cool Breeze Sweep Over You at the Cairo Citadel
Published by Jason Hussong, Writer
Country: Egypt 
The Experience
The Citadel in Cairo, Egypt was built by military genius Saladin, a man who retook the Holy Land from the Crusaders, as a means to protect and unite the cities of Cairo and Fustat. Saladin planned to build a massive wall around the two cities, using the Citadel as its centerpiece, but was unable to complete it before he died in Syria in 1193 A.D. The huge wall was ultimately finished in 1238 A.D. with the Cairo Citadel prominently set on Muqattam Hill, overlooking the city. Saladin knew the hill was a great strategic location as it offered a commanding vantage point of the surrounding area, but it was also endowed with another powerful gift, wind. It was here, long before the wall or the Citadel were built, that people gathered to enjoy the “Dome of the Wind.”
Egypt's Citadel is one of the most popular medieval sites in Cairo encompassing three mosques, a military museum and a beautiful park. These ornate history-laden complexes harbor is a simpler pleasure though, an outcrop above Cairo perfect for catching a cool breeze. In 810 A.D. the governor had a pavilion constructed so people could sit back, relax, and enjoy the grand views of Cairo while basking in the refreshing breeze. Muqattam Hill was a great place to relax and enjoy the day long before the Cairo Citadel was built, and is so once again following the movement of the seat of government to its new home, the Abdin Palace, in the 1860's.
The Cairo Citadel has changed significantly over the years as various leaders have left their own mark on the complex. The most prominent and well known of these changes was the addition of the grand Mohamed Ali Mosque, which has dominated the Cairo skyline with its piercing minarets since its completion in 1848. Beside the Mohamed Ali Mosque is the Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad, and although not as large, it offers greater eloquence. The beautiful masonry and ornate craftsmanship displayed here is the quintessential Ottoman style used in many Islamic monuments, and have captivated countless people over the years. The only original parts of the once mighty fortress that remain from initial construction are parts of the walls and a well that once supplied the Saladin Citadel with water. Unfortunately the area around the 285 foot (87 meters) deep Bir Yusuf Well is not open for tourists to investigate.
Defense of the Cairo Citadel is no longer a concern as it was in Saladin’s day. Instead today, the three mosques built in its boundaries serve as active homes of prayer; the large military museum remembers a long history of the armies that have ruled over Egypt; and a park, not far from the small Suleyman Pasha Mosque, is a great place to relax and let a cool breeze sweep over you. After a day exploring Egypt's Citadel and all it encompasses in its mighty walls, it’s easy to see why the non-Pharaonic structure is so popular, with tourists and locals alike, as a fantastic spot to relax and enjoy the wind washing over you.
Egypt's Citadel is one of the most popular medieval sites in Cairo encompassing three mosques, a military museum and a beautiful park. These ornate history-laden complexes harbor is a simpler pleasure though, an outcrop above Cairo perfect for catching a cool breeze. In 810 A.D. the governor had a pavilion constructed so people could sit back, relax, and enjoy the grand views of Cairo while basking in the refreshing breeze. Muqattam Hill was a great place to relax and enjoy the day long before the Cairo Citadel was built, and is so once again following the movement of the seat of government to its new home, the Abdin Palace, in the 1860's.
The Cairo Citadel has changed significantly over the years as various leaders have left their own mark on the complex. The most prominent and well known of these changes was the addition of the grand Mohamed Ali Mosque, which has dominated the Cairo skyline with its piercing minarets since its completion in 1848. Beside the Mohamed Ali Mosque is the Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad, and although not as large, it offers greater eloquence. The beautiful masonry and ornate craftsmanship displayed here is the quintessential Ottoman style used in many Islamic monuments, and have captivated countless people over the years. The only original parts of the once mighty fortress that remain from initial construction are parts of the walls and a well that once supplied the Saladin Citadel with water. Unfortunately the area around the 285 foot (87 meters) deep Bir Yusuf Well is not open for tourists to investigate.
Defense of the Cairo Citadel is no longer a concern as it was in Saladin’s day. Instead today, the three mosques built in its boundaries serve as active homes of prayer; the large military museum remembers a long history of the armies that have ruled over Egypt; and a park, not far from the small Suleyman Pasha Mosque, is a great place to relax and let a cool breeze sweep over you. After a day exploring Egypt's Citadel and all it encompasses in its mighty walls, it’s easy to see why the non-Pharaonic structure is so popular, with tourists and locals alike, as a fantastic spot to relax and enjoy the wind washing over you.
When to Go to Cairo Citadel
The best time to visit the Cairo Citadel is during the many daily prayers held at any one of the mosques in the complex. They're very welcoming of respectful visitors who are interested in learning more about the history of both the religion and the Citadel. A visit can ideally be combined with a picnic in the park if the temperatures aren't too hot, so it's best to avoid the scorching highs in the summer months and go in fall, spring or winter.
Odds n' Ends
The military museum at Egypt's Citadel is not worth the time in a visit unless you have an extreme interest in military tactics and history. For any general visitor it will tend to be dull and boring, so spend your time better by exploring the rest of the grounds in the complex. The Suleyman Pasha Mosque, the first Ottoman-style mosque built in Egypt, is worth a visit instead as it can definitely help put the massive Mohamed Ali Mosque in perspective.
Also, the nearby Khan el-Khalili bazaar is a great nearby spot to stop and pick up some snacks if you plan to have a picnic within the Citadel's walls. It's also worth a visit though once you're done at the Citadel. It's winding alleys make for an interesting adventure as you shop, haggle for bargains, sip tea and explore the ancient maze of shops at night.
Also, the nearby Khan el-Khalili bazaar is a great nearby spot to stop and pick up some snacks if you plan to have a picnic within the Citadel's walls. It's also worth a visit though once you're done at the Citadel. It's winding alleys make for an interesting adventure as you shop, haggle for bargains, sip tea and explore the ancient maze of shops at night.
Want a Guide?
- iStyle Cairo 6-Day - GAPAdventures.com
- Do Cairo your way! Choose from various iStyle optional activities and create an itinerary that's perfect for you. Some of the many options include: a day trip to Alexandria, one of the greatest cities of the Hellenic world; an exploration of Islamic Cairo's medieval citadel, markets and mosques; tours of Coptic Cairo, the world-renowned Egyptian Museum, the Great Pyramids of Giza or other lesser-known ruins; camel rides, Nile cruises and more. There's even a camel market!
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
A truly 5 star experience! Located in the Garden City area of Cairo on the West Bank of the Nile, this is a luxurious and ... 1 miles away
$1377 EGP+
The Cairo Palace Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Cairo.The Cairo Palace Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenities ... 1 miles away
$115 EGP+
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- Ride a Camel Through the Desert in Egypt
- The Pyramids at Giza are an awesome sight, and the experience is made even more amazing when you see the Pyramids from camel-back in the desert. The tall Arabian camels sway gently to and fro under the blazing desert sun as you make your way through the dusty white buildings of town, finally breaking out into open sand dunes. The footsteps of these majestic animals are nearly soundless in the sand, the sky clear, and in the distance, the iconic silhouette of the Pyramids of Giza are outlined against the horizon. Time falls away, and you might almost be part ...8 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
The Giza Plateau is only around 30 minutes from Cairo, where your qualified Egyptologist guide will provide a fascinating introduction to each of the three ...2.83 miles away via Cairo.
$79+
Your private tour begins with a fascinating introduction to each of the three Giza pyramids: Cheops, Khafre and Menakaure. You will have free time to ...2.83 miles away via Cairo.
$63+
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Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
You will visit Cairo's three enduring ramparts: Bab Al-Nasr (Gate of Victory), Bab Al-Futuh (Gate of Conquests) and Bab Al-Zuwayla, as well as the Street ...
Starting from $125.10 per person.
Starting from $125.10 per person.
Books and DVDs
- Top 10 Cairo and the Nile
- Egypt Travel Guide (8th Ed.) - Lonely Planet
- The voracious energy of Cairo, the grandeur of Luxor's monuments, the laid-back vibe of Dahab and the remote beauty of the Western Desert oases: Lonely Planet's bestselling guide to Egypt packs in more treasures than Tutankhamun's tomb.
- The Citadel of Cairo: A New Interpretation of Royal Mamluk Architecture (Hardcover)
Elsewhere on the Web
- The Citadel in Cairo - TourEgypt.net
- One of Cairo's most popular tourist attractions is the Citadel which houses a number of museums, ancient mosques and other sites, located on a spur of limestone that had been detached from its parent Moqattam Hills by quarrying.
- Historic Cairo - UNESCO.org
Media References
- 36 Hours in Cairo - NY Times.com (newspaper)
- CAIRO is third world and first world, Islamic world and pharaonic world, a teeming city that jars all the senses, all at once. There are thousands of years of history in this city of 18 million people, and that history can be seen in the people themselves: the modern-day ful seller peddling his stewed beans from a decorated cart, the felucca captain guiding his sailboat through the murky Nile, the young man riding a bicycle through traffic with a ladder-sized tray of bread balanced on his head.
- Cairo, Egypt - National Geographic.com (magazine)
- Cairo's 14th century Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan is one of the largest in the world. Some believe that buildings contain stone from the Pyramids of Giza.
- Old Cairo, Cairo, Egypt, 1990 - National Geographic.com (magazine)
- "Built inside the Citadel, the former headquarters of Egypt's rulers, the Turkish-style [Muhammad Ali] mosque honors the early 19th-century leader credited with bringing the nation and Cairo out of a medieval past—and into vexing modern times."
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