Citadel of Saladin in Cairo Egypt | Facts, Map, History, Who built, When was the citadel built, Why was the Medieval Islamic fortification built and more…
Salah El-Din Citadel in Cairo, Egypt | History, facts and a map of the most important Islamic monuments, what is inside, how much is the ticket price for entering the military castles, the mountain castle in Mokattam, and more.
The Citadel of Cairo (Saladin Citadel) is one of the military fortresses that were built in the Middle Ages. The citadel is located on the top of Mokattam Mountain and comes surrounded by strong and impregnable walls. Learn about the history of the castle’s construction, dates of visit and prices of entrance tickets to the castle.
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The date of the construction of the Citadel of Saladin
• Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi began building the castle on the Mokattam mountain, which was known at the time as the Air Dome.
• Saladin did not build the castle completely during his lifetime, but it was built by Sultan Al-Kamil bin Al-Adil.
• The construction of the Cairo Citadel (Saladin Citadel) continued until the era of Muhammad Ali Pasha.
• The construction of the castle began in 1176 and ended in 1183, the year of its opening.
castle doors
The Cairo Citadel (Salah al-Din Citadel) comes with five gates with different names.
Information about each gate is as follows:
Mokattam gate
• It was called by this name because it is located next to the Mokattam Tower, and it was also called Bab al-Jabal.
• Muhammad Ali Pasha made a link between Bab al-Jabal and its castle in Mokattam, and the length of the link was 650 meters.
• When paving Salah Salem Road in 1955, the door was exposed to many factors, which led to the loss of the door’s features and the demolition of the stairs.
middle door
• The reason for calling the door by this name is due to its mediation between the Diwan of Qaitbay and the Diwan of Al-Ghouri.
• The door is also called the drummers because it is located next to the House of Justice, which was built as a house for drummers.
• Muhammad Ali Pasha renewed this chapter, but the exact date of this renewal is unknown.
new door
• Muhammad Ali built this door in 1827 so that it could be replaced by Bab al-Mudarrad.
• The new door has two facades, the first is north and overlooks the quarry railway, as well as the old archives house. The length of the facade is 15.50 meters and the height is between 16 to 20 meters.
• The northern façade of the door contains a number of architectural details, including a prominent calligraphy of the saying “O open doors.”
• On the facade there are decorations and drawings of the Egyptian army and weapons.
castle door
• The Citadel Gate is the inner gate. It separated the gate between Al-Jableh Castle and the Royal City, which is located in the south.
• Among the other doors in the castle is also Bab Al-Azab, which is one of the largest ancient Islamic installations.
• Bab al-‘Azb consists of two large towers with a round facade, and on each tower there is a room that is used to drop boiling oil to confront the enemies.
Ruins inside the Citadel of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi
Cairo Citadel (Salah al-Din Citadel) contains a large group of Egyptian tourist attractions, get to know them as follows:
Joseph’s well
The most important historical monuments in the Citadel of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi in Cairo, Egypt. Information and secrets of the history of building the well, the reason for its name, and what is the engineering design to start your cultural tourism trip to ancient Islamic Egypt.
You will find it directly behind the King Al-Nasir Muhammad Ibn Qalawun Mosque, which is cylindrical in shape with a depth of 90 meters, where the well was dug in the Qaraqosh rock, as it belongs to the minister of Salah al-Din who established the walls of the castle.
Youssef’s well consists of two floors, where the depth of the first floor is 50 meters and the second floor is 40 meters with a staircase of 300 degrees.
The well is named “Youssef’s Well” in relation to Prince Yusuf, the son of the commander Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, as the well is used to provide a source of water during wars and sieges, and the water is extracted by a waterwheel located on each floor by the use of cattle and cows.
• Salah El-Din drilled this well, which is 85 meters long.
• The well consists of two sections, the length of the lower section is 2.3 meters, and the upper section is 5 meters.
• The goal of building a well is to provide the largest possible amount of water.
• During the reign of Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, a well was built to transfer water from the Nile, due to the inability of Salah al-Din’s well to produce the required water.
castle palaces
• Al-Jawhara Palace was established in 1814 AD.
• Al-Haram Palace was established in 1826 AD.
• In addition to the Al-Ablaq Palace, which was built during the reign of Muhammad bin Qalawun.
• The Palace of Justice.
Castle mosques
• The Mosque of Nasir Muhammad bin Qalawun is one of the main mosques in the Citadel and was built in the Mamluk era.
• In addition to Suleiman Pasha Mosque.
• The Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, in which Muhammad Ali is buried.
• Ahmed Katkhuda Azban Mosque.
• Al-Nasr Mosque.
Castle Museums
Museum of Qasr El-Jawhara Palace
The history of the construction of the most important historical museums in Cairo, Egypt. Valuable information on the content and design of the Royal Museum of Salah al-Din Al-Ayubi Citadel and the historical stories associated with the Qasr El-Jawhara Museum.
Built as a private residence of Sultan Mohammad Ali Pasha and the family after him in 1814 AD, the palace features unique oriental inscriptions on all the walls of the Ottoman-style palace.
The museum includes the old throne hall, the rare canes and the furniture of Mohammad Ali Pasha.
Located in Salah al-Din Al-Ayubi Citadel, Qasr El-Jawhara Palace is next to Mohammed Ali Pasha Mosque.
The architectural layout of the palace is designed, starting with the main entrance of a parasol based on marble columns and at the end of the entrance you will find a rectangular room for cutting workers. You will see the palace’s throne showroom, then the back garden known as the black garden, then the marble room, showrooms, and royal bath.
When you go to the second floor above the museum’s reception room, you will find drawings and inscriptions in the form of plants, flowers and unique decorations painted with gold water in Baroque and Rococo style.
It is important to note that King Mohammad Ali Pasha hosted a large group of Mamluks and killed them all in the El-Jawhara Palace and was known for some time with the great massacre.
Al-Jawhara Palace Museum, which contains a chandelier weighing 1000 kilograms, which was a gift from Louis Philip I to Muhammad Ali Pasha.
• The Transport Museum, which contains royal cars from the Khedive era until the era of King Farouk, was opened in 1938.
• The Military Museum of the Egyptian Army, which was established in 1937.
• Fire Museum.
About Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi
Date of birth and death: Birth in 1138, date of death 1193 AD.
Nickname: King Al-Nasir.
His works: Saladin was able to restore Jerusalem from the Franks to the Muslims.
He was able to unite Egypt, Syria and Yemen.
Citadel of Saladin
The history of the establishment of the most important historical monuments in Cairo, Egypt. Important information and secrets of the castle’s interior design, architectural design, visitation times, ticket prices, and more.
The construction of the Muhammad Ali Citadel began during the reign of the leader Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi in the twelfth century and was completed in the year 614 AH during the reign of al-Malik al-Adil.
All the buildings and doors located down the road to the castle date back to the Ottoman era, in addition to the fact that the area of the castle did not change and remained as it was surrounded by high walls. Muhammad’s castle witnessed many internal developments by the rulers of Egypt throughout the ages.
The castle includes the runway door, which is considered the main door, and the presence of writings at the top of the door with commemorative texts of the leader Salah al-Din and Minister Bahaa al-Din Qaraqosh, in addition to the new door, which Sultan Muhammad built in 1241 AH. Katkhuda in 1186 AH.
Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi Citadel contains many archaeological buildings, which are (Yusuf al-Halazuni Well, al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun Mosque, Sariyat al-Jabal Mosque, Ahmad Katkhuda al-Azab Mosque, Muhammad Ali Mosque, the Archives House, the Military Museum, the Police Museum, and the Vehicles Museum).
The main entrance to the Citadel of Muhammad Ali is from the southern side, on the side of Salah Salem Street, next to the tombs. The Muhammad Ali Mosque is one of the most famous tourist attractions in which tourists visit when visiting the castle.
Mosques and monuments in the Citadel of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi:
Mohamed Ali Mosque:
Get to know him in an article of his own and learn about his architectural design and the date of establishment.
Suleiman Pasha Mosque – Sariyat Al-Jabal Mosque
Get to know him in an article of his own and learn about his architectural design and the date of establishment.
Al-Nasir Muhammad Ibn Qalawun Mosque
Get to know him in an article of his own and learn about his architectural design and the date of establishment.
Castle Square:
The Citadel Square overlooks the 5 most important heritage mosques, which are (Sultan Hassan Mosque and School, Jawhar Al-Lala Mosque and School, Qani Bey Al-Ramah Mosque and School, Al-Mahmudiyah Mosque, and Al-Rifai Mosque).
Sultan Hassan Mosque:
You can learn more information about the Sultan Hassan Mosque and School through an article on it.
Jawhar Al-Lala Mosque and School:
Johar School is located in Salah El-Din Citadel Square above a hill directly behind Qani Bey Al-Ramah School, and it can be accessed through a staircase.
During the Circassian Mamluk era, Prince Jawhar Al-Lala, who was working as a private educator for the Sultan’s children, established the school in 1429 AD.
It consists of a large hall, two iwans, and two pavilions with a small area, in addition to all school accessories.
You will see a “veil style” sabil topped with a book next to a memorial entrance, in addition to a facade with a Mamluk minaret and an elongated dome, in addition to a small secondary entrance to the school.
Qani Bey Al Ramah School:
The school is located in the field of the castle. The school was founded by Prince Sultan al-Ghouri, who was famous for throwing the spear and was a general supervisor of the royal horse stables.
The madrasa overlooks the field with a façade that includes the dome of his two mausoleums, a memorial entrance, a Mamluk minaret, and a path surmounted by a book.
Attention was paid to the decoration of the dome with uniquely engraved floral motifs, in addition to the Mamluk minaret with two inverted few heads of a square body, where you will find that the balcony of the muezzin carries the jusaq.
You will see the windows of the sabil in a Mamluk style with metal grilles. The sabil is surmounted by a lintel, a lintel, and an obstruction over a book covered with wooden flaps that were used to protect children and students from the sun and rain in winter.
Mahmudiyah Mosque:
The mosque was designed in the Ottoman style, and Mahmoud Pasha, the ruler of Egypt in the Ottoman era, built it in 1576 AD. The mosque consists of a closed prayer house and the mosque is divided from the inside into a hall and two iwans.
The façade of the mosque includes an Ottoman minaret in the shape of a pencil, and it overlooks a square with a well-known façade with the same design as the Al-Ramah Mosque and the Johar and Al-Lala School.
You will see a distinctive memorial entrance with a vaulted door opening that precedes the precious lintel and the arched arch, and the general shape of the entrance is complete and unique in terms of design and decorations.
Al-Rifai Mosque:
You can learn more information about the Sultan Hassan Mosque and School through an article on it.
The royal tombs in the Citadel of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi
Cemeteries have been allocated for the burial of the royal family, attached to the Al-Rifai Mosque, where you will find in the northeastern direction all of (Khosiah Hanim, the wives of Khedive Ismail, Khedive Ismail, Sultan Hassan Kamel, Sultan and Khedive Abbas Helmy were buried).
The Royal Tombs Mosque is 75 years old and is one of the important monuments in Salah El-Din Citadel.
Follow more details and monuments of the antiquities around the Citadel of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi in Cairo, the most important cultural heritage tourist places in Egypt, tourism, in addition to other ancient monuments through our website.
One of the most prominent tourist attractions in Cairo, the Citadel of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, or the Citadel of Muhammad Ali, in which the most famous mosque in Cairo, the Muhammad Ali Mosque, is located.
The castle, which was ordered to be built by the Muslim leader Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, and completed by his brother al-Adil, is located on the top of Mount Mokattam, standing out from afar through the long and huge minarets of the Muhammad Ali Mosque, which overlooks ancient Islamic Cairo, and is also a witness to many historical events that took place. It took place in Egypt during the medieval era.
How to get to the Citadel of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi?
Salah El-Din Citadel can be reached within 15 to 25 minutes from the center of Cairo, and it can also be reached via the new ring road from anywhere on the outskirts of the ancient Egyptian capital.
History of Saladin Citadel
The castle was built in 1176 by the Muslim leader, Saladin in order to defend against the Crusader invasions. The original walls of the castle are still intact, but the original building of the castle itself, It was destroyed, and in the nineteenth century, the massive Muhammad Ali Mosque was built between 1824 and 1848, and was designed to be modeled on the famous “Blue Mosque” in Istanbul, Turkey.
During the reign of Muhammad Ali, the castle was the seat of government, and it remained so until the mid-nineteenth century
What can you see inside the Citadel of Saladin in Cairo?
There are many museums inside the castle; Including the Military Museum, the Police Museum, the Islamic Museum and the Museum of the History of Egypt, in addition to displays of original aircraft and tanks used in wars.
There are also two other mosques worth visiting while you are in the castle. They are: the Great Mosque of Al-Nasir Muhammad and the Suleiman Pasha Mosque.
One of the most prominent landmarks near the castle that can be visited is Joseph’s Well, which was intended to fetch water from a depth of 285 feet. One had to use spiral staircases that wound their way around the inner wall of the well. With a total of 300 spiral staircases.
There is also a restaurant and cafes inside the castle, as well as souvenir shops.
How to get to the Citadel of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi?
There are plenty of buses in Cairo, many of which can be used to get to the Citadel of Saladin, as can the countless taxis that ply the city’s streets.
Visiting times Saladin Citadel in Cairo: The castle can be entered from 9 am to 4 pm
Ticket prices Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi Citadel: Entrance prices start at 5 pounds during the day, and at night the ticket price is 60 pounds. The castle also offers family tickets for 4 people at 150 pounds, knowing that the prices are the same for Egyptians and foreigners alike.
The address of the place: Al-Moqattam Hill, Al-Ibajiyya, Al-Khalifa Department.
All the buildings and gates under the road of the Citadel date back to the Ottoman era, in addition to the fact that the area of the citadel has not changed and has remained surrounded by imposing walls, the citadel includes ancient gates of Cairo such as bab al-Jabal and Bab al-Azab which was built under Prince Radwan Katkho da in 1186 Hijri. The citadel of Salah al-Din Al-Ayoubi contains many archaeological buildings (Bir Youssef al-Halzali, Nasser Mohammed bin Qalawon Mosque, Sariat al-Jabal Mosque, Ahmed Katkhoda Al-Azab Mosque, Archives, Military Museum, Police Museum, Vehicle Museum).
Citadel Square: Citadel Square overlooks the 5 main heritage mosques (Sultan Hassan Mosque and School, Jawhar Alala Mosque and School, Qani Bay Al-Ramah Mosque, Mahmoudiyah Mosque, Rifai Mosque).
Jawhar Alala Mosque and School: Jawhar School on Salaheddine Citadel Square is located just behind Qani Bay Al-Ramah School, accessible by stairs. Prince Johar al-aala of the Mamluk Jerkessi era and was a private educator for the sultan’s children, established the school in 1429 AD, consisting of a large hall, iwanin and two small sedaltins in addition to all the annexes of the schools.
You will see a “sail style” with a Qur’anic school next to a commemorative entrance, a façade with a Mamluk minaret on one level, a mounted dome and a small sub-school entrance.
Qani Bay Al-Ramah School:
Located in citadel square, Sultan al-Ghuri founded the school and was a famous warrior and was a general supervisor of the royal horse stables, the school consists of a basement, 2 iwans. The school overlooks the square with a façade with a mausoleum dome, a commemorative entrance, a Mamluk minaret and a threshold.
The decoration of the dome is decorated with uniquely engraved floral motifs, as well as a Mamluk minaret with a few inverted brews of a square shell, where you will find that the balcony of the muezzin is a carrier of the goss. You will see the windows of the road in a Mamluk style with metal fingers, the sebil is topped by the threshold and measured and held a barrier on a wooden book with shutter roof that was used to protect children and students from the sun and rain in winter.
Mahmoudiyah Mosque
The mosque was designed in the Ottoman style and was built by Mahmoud Pasha, the Egyptian crown prince of the Ottoman era, in 1576 AD. The façade of the mosque has an Ottoman minaret in the shape of a pencil, overlooking a square with a well-known façade with the same design as the Ramah Mosque and the Jowhar Walala School.
You will see a distinctive commemorative entrance with a knotted door opening that precedes the precious threshold, the knot and a general shape of the entrance that is complete and unique in terms of design and decoration.
Al-Rifai Mosque
The royal tombs of the Citadel of Salah al-Din Al-Ayoubi were dedicated to the burial of the royal family attached to the Rifai Mosque, where you will find in the northeast direction were buried (Khoshyar Hanem, wives of Khedive Ismail, Khedive Ismail, Sultan Hussein Kamel, Sultan and Khedive Abbas Helmi).
The Mosque of the Royal Tombs is 75 years old and is an important monument in the Citadel of Salah al-Din.
How to get to the Citadel of Saladin?
The Citadel of Salah al-Din can be reached in 15 to 25 minutes from the center of Cairo and can be reached by the new ring road from anywhere on the perspit of the ancient Egyptian capital.
The history of the Citadel of Saladin was built in 1176 by the Muslim general, Salah al-Din, to defend himself against crusader invasions, the original walls of the castle are still intact, but the original building of the Citadel itself was destroyed.
What can you see inside the Salah Eldin Citadel in Cairo?
There are many museums inside the castle, including the Military Museum, the Police Museum, the Islamic Museum and the Museum of Egyptian History, as well as exhibits of original aircraft and tanks used in wars. There are also two other mosques to visit while you are at the citadel: the Nasser Mohammad Mosque and the Suleiman Pasha Mosque. One of the highlights near the Citadel to visit was the Yusuf Well, which was intended to fetch water at a depth of 285 feet, and it was necessary to use spiral stairs that made their way around the inner wall of the well. With a total of 300 spiral staircases. Inside the castle there is also a restaurant and cafes, as well as souvenir shops.
Dates of visit to the Citadel of Salaheddine in Cairo:
The castle can be entered from 9am to 4pm
Ticket prices of Citadel of Salah El din Ayoubi
entrance fees start at 5 pounds during the day, and during the night the ticket price is 60 pounds, and the castle offers family tickets for 4 people at the price of 150 pounds, although prices are uniform for Egyptians and foreigners.
The address of the place: Al-Muqattam Hill, , Caliph’s Section.
The address of the Citadel of Saladin al-Ayyubi
Salah Salem Street – Al-Darb Al-Ahmar – Cairo.
Work schedules for Citadel of Saladin
From Sunday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Citadel of Saladin Ticket Prices
The ticket price for Egyptians is 30 Egyptian pounds for adults, and 10 pounds only for Egyptian students.
The ticket price for foreigners is 140 pounds for adults, 70 pounds for foreign students.
The price of the evening ticket is 80 pounds for foreign students, 160 for foreign adults.
