Citadel of Saladin
Join Royal Black Tours and explore The Cairo Citadel, also known as Saladin Citadel, stands as a medieval Islamic fortress in Cairo, Egypt. constructed under the leadership of the renowned Salah ad-Din (Saladin). For nearly seven centuries, from the 13th century until the erection of Abdeen Palace in the 19th century, it served as the governmental hub in Egypt and housed its monarchs.
Where is the Citadel located?
it is Situated atop a promontory of the Mokattam hills, in close proximity to central Cairo, the Citadel enjoys a commanding position that offers panoramic views of the city, thus asserting its strategic significance. During its construction, it emerged as one of the era’s most remarkable and ambitious military fortification endeavors, symbolizing prowess and foresight.
Overview about the citadel’s history?
Constructed upon a promontory nestled beneath the Muqattam Hills, the Citadel boasted a formidable position that rendered it impervious to attacks. This strategic location solidified its status as the nerve center of Egyptian governance for centuries, enduring until the dawn of the 19th century. Throughout its lengthy tenure, the Citadel underwent numerous modifications and adaptations, mirroring the shifting tides of power and governance. Consequently, unraveling its original blueprint or subsequent alterations presents a formidable challenge.
The Citadel’s evolution unfolded across three significant construction epochs: the 12th-century Ayyubid era, commencing with Saladin; the 14th-century Mamluk period under al-Nasir Muhammad; and a 19th-century transformation led by Muhammad Ali. With the relocation of Egypt’s ruler, Khedive Ismail, to the newly erected Abdin Palace in the burgeoning downtown Cairo in 1874, the Citadel relinquished its role as the seat of government. Despite its robust defenses, the Citadel never faced a genuine siege.
Who is Saladin?
A might ruler Emerging from a Kurdish lineage, Saladin stood as the inaugural sultan of Egypt and Syria, marking the genesis of the Ayyubid dynasty. Renowned as a pivotal figure in the tumultuous era of the Third Crusade, he led the charge for the Muslim forces against the Crusader states entrenched in the Levant. Under his formidable leadership, the Ayyubid dominion flourished, stretching across vast territories encompassing Egypt, Syria, Upper Mesopotamia, the Hejaz, Yemen, and Nubia.
A general Layout of this Citadel
In its layout, the fortress complex can be delineated into two distinct sections: the Northern Enclosure, presently the site of the National Military Museum, and the Southern Enclosure, where the imposing Mosque of Muhammad Ali now stands. Historically, the Northern Enclosure housed military barracks, while the Southern Enclosure served as the sultan’s residential quarters. Additionally, there existed a lower, western enclosure that once accommodated the Mamluk royal stables. However, during the 19th century, Muhammad Ali Pasha initiated extensive renovations throughout the Citadel, blurring the functional distinctions between these areas and constructing various buildings with diverse purposes.
Adjacent to the Citadel’s west and southwest lies an expansive open field, commonly referred to as the “hippodrome” by historians or as the Maydan (“plaza” or “square”). For generations, this vast space served as both a training ground, particularly for horsemanship, and a venue for military parades. Its original outline persists in the layout of the surrounding roads, predominantly Salah ad-Din Street.
At the northern extremity of the hippodrome stood another square, once known as Rumayla Square (Maydan/Midan Rumayla), now recognized as Salah al-Din Square (Midan Salah Ad-Din) or Citadel Square (Midan al-Qal’a). Initially utilized as a marketplace for horses due to its proximity to the royal stables, this square also served as an official venue for royal and religious ceremonies. Presently, it is occupied by a large roundabout, flanked by the grand mosques of Sultan Hassan and al-Rifa’i.
The Citadel’s inception traces back to Salah al-Din (Saladin), the Kurdish Ayyubid leader, who initiated its construction between 1176 and 1183 CE with dual objectives: shielding Cairo against potential Crusader incursions and establishing a fortified administrative hub for his nascent regime. This endeavor mirrored the fortified citadels of various Syrian cities like Damascus and Aleppo, cities with which Saladin was intimately familiar. Concurrently, Saladin embarked on the ambitious task of erecting a formidable wall encompassing both Cairo and Fustat, the neighboring former capital.
Saladin envisioned this encircling wall, stretching approximately 20 kilometers in length, as a unifying barrier to fortify the two cities and facilitate joint defense. Although the Citadel’s core was completed by 1183–1184, the envisioned wall, intended to be the backbone of Cairo’s defense, remained under construction well beyond Saladin’s lifetime, with traces of its incomplete state lingering until 1238. Despite being incomplete, segments of the wall were indeed erected, yet its full realization never materialized.
Baha al-Din Qaraqush, Saladin’s chief eunuch and trusted aide, was entrusted with overseeing the Citadel’s construction. Most of the structure was crafted from limestone quarried from the adjacent Muqattam Hills, supplemented by materials procured from minor pyramids in Giza and Abusir. The labor force was largely comprised of Christian prisoners of war captured during Saladin’s military campaigns against the Crusaders. Initially, the fortress primarily comprised what is now recognized as the Northern Enclosure, although subsequent modifications have altered certain aspects of its original walls. The only construct that remains of the original design is the Bab al-Mudarraj Gate which is located in the northern section.
What other monuments are inside the fort?
There are mainly (but not only) 4 main mosques and museums respectively inside which are:
1) The Mosque of Muhammad Ali:
erected between 1830 and 1848, with final touches completed under Said Pasha in 1857, stands within the Southern Enclosure and welcomes visitors today. Crafted by architect Yusuf Bushnak from Istanbul, it draws inspiration from the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in the same city. Muhammad Ali Pasha’s final resting place lies within a Carrara marble tomb in the mosque’s courtyard, his remains relocated from Hawsh al-Basha in 1857.
2) Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque:
Dating back to 1318, during the early Bahri Mamluk era, the Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque served as the Citadel’s royal mosque, where Cairo’s sultans gathered for Friday prayers. Despite the passage of time, it retains its hypostyle structure from the 1300s, albeit with numerous repairs and partial restoration of its original adornments. Plastered walls have been reinforced, and efforts have been made to revive the light-blue hue of its ceiling. Found within the Southern Enclosure, it remains accessible to the public.
3) The Mosque of Sulayman Pasha:
constructed in 1528, represents one of the Citadel’s earliest Ottoman-style mosques, displaying the classical Ottoman architectural traits of the 16th century. Positioned in the Northern Enclosure, northeast of the Harim Palace (Military Museum), it replaced the earlier Mosque of Sidi Sariyya, initially built by Abu-Mansur Qasta during the Fatimid era. Qasta’s tomb, dating back to 1140 CE, remains preserved within the mosque.
4) Bab al-‘Azab Mosque:
Tucked behind the primary western gate, Bab al- ‘Azab, lies the lesser-known Mosque of al-‘Azab. Named after the Ottoman military regiments housed in this section during the Ottoman era, it was commissioned by Mamluk amir Ahmad Katkhuda in 1697. While its origins are debated, some suggest it may have integrated or renovated an earlier Mamluk religious structure. Although not accessible to the public, its Ottoman-style minaret stands as a visible marker within the Citadel.
5) Al-Gawhara Palace Museum:
also known as Bijou Palace, stands as a testament to Muhammad Ali Pasha’s grand vision, commissioned in 1814. Crafted by artisans from various corners of the world, including Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Albania, this palace boasts a rich tapestry of architectural influences. Within its walls lies Muhammad Ali’s majestic divan, where distinguished guests were received, illuminated by a magnificent chandelier gifted by Louis Philippe I of France, weighing a staggering 1,000 kilograms. The palace also showcases the splendid throne bestowed upon Muhammad Ali by the King of Italy.
6) The Carriage Museum:
inaugurated in 1983, serves as a repository for a unique collection of Royal Carriages spanning different historical epochs, from the era of Khedive Ismail to the reign of King Farouk. Alongside these regal conveyances, the museum houses a diverse array of antique artifacts associated with carriages, each possessing its own unique story.
7) The Egyptian Military Museum:
As the custodian of Egypt’s military heritage, the Egyptian Military Museum stands as a tribute to the nation’s armed forces. Established in 1937 within the former Egyptian Ministry of War building in downtown Cairo, the museum has since undergone several relocations and renovations. Today, it finds its home within the historic confines of the Harem Palace at the Cairo Citadel, preserving and showcasing the valor and sacrifices of Egypt’s military history.
8) Police Museum:
Perched north of the Bab al-‘Alam gate, offering panoramic vistas of the city below, lies the Police Museum, housed within the Citadel’s former prison. This museum, also known as the Prison Museum, offers insights into infamous political assassinations and exhibits the weapons used in these events, providing a somber reflection on the complexities of law enforcement and justice.