|
The Citadel is one of Cairo’s most popular and readily identifiable attractions. In the 12th Century AD Salah ad-Din (known as Saladin in the west) recognised that Cairo needed a fortress to help protect the city against attack by the Crusaders. He chose the prominent limestone spur, that is now on the edge of what is known as Islamic Cairo, for his stronghold. It later became the seat of government until the middle of the 19th Century, and has always maintained some sort of military garrison, even up to the present day. The Citadel offers some of the most spectacular views of Cairo, and it’s great fun trying to identify sights from here that you have already visited. You should even be able to make out the pyramids! It also contains three mosques that represent very different architectural styles: a Mamluk mosque, an Ottoman mosque, and the Mosque of Mohammed Ali. The latter is huge and very opulent, and its spires dominate the skyline of Cairo. As well as the fortifications and the mosques, the Citadel hosts a handful of museums, such as the Military Museum and the Police Museum. The Citadel is best reached by taxi, and from here it is possible to walk towards Ibn Tulun and the Gayer-Anderson Museum, or towards Khan el Khalili bazaar.
|
button while searching through our recommendations
