Citadel of Saladin and the Muhammad Ali Mosque - Historic Cairo
Kairo, Egypt
21.10.2023
The Citadel of Saladin and the Muhammad Ali Mosque in Cairo, Egypt
Located in the heart of Cairo, the Zitadelle von Saleh El Din or the Citadel of Saladin is a magnificent fortification that stands as a symbol of the city's rich history and cultural heritage. This impressive structure was built in the 12th century by the Ayyubid ruler Saladin to protect the city from potential invaders. Over the centuries, it has been used as a royal residence, a military base, and even a prison.
The Citadel is home to several important monuments and buildings, including the Muhammad-Ali-Moschee or the Alabaster Mosque. This stunning mosque was commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha, the founder of modern Egypt, in the 19th century and is one of the most famous landmarks of the city. Its majestic dome and minarets dominate the Cairo skyline and the interior is adorned with intricate decorations and beautiful stained glass windows.
Visitors to the Citadel can also explore the Al-Gawhara Palace, which was built in the 19th century by Muhammad Ali Pasha for his daughter. It is a fine example of Ottoman-style architecture and features lavish interiors with intricate decorations and furnishings.
Aside from its historical and architectural significance, the Citadel also offers stunning views of Cairo and the Nile River. It is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, especially during sunset when the city is bathed in golden light.
The Citadel of Saladin and the Muhammad Ali Mosque were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 for their outstanding universal value as a symbol of Islamic civilization and the country's history and culture.
If you're planning to visit this magnificent site, don't miss the chance to explore its rich history and marvel at its impressive architecture. It is truly a must-see for anyone visiting Cairo.
Weiterführende Links:
- Citadel of Saladin on Wikipedia
- Muhammad Ali Mosque on Wikipedia
- UNESCO World Heritage Site on Wikipedia
The Citadel of Cairo or Citadel of Saladin (Arabic: قلعة صلاح الدين, romanized: Qalaʿat Salāḥ ad-Dīn) is a medieval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo, Egypt, built by Salah ad-Din (Saladin) and further developed by subsequent Egyptian rulers. It was the seat of government in Egypt and the residence of its rulers for nearly 700 years from the 13th century until the construction of Abdeen Palace in the 19th century. Its location on a promontory of the Mokattam hills near the center of Cairo commands a strategic position overlooking the city and dominating its skyline. When it was constructed it was among the most impressive and ambitious military fortification projects of its time. It is now a preserved historic site, including mosques and museums.
In addition to the initial Ayyubid-era construction begun by Saladin in 1176, the Citadel underwent major development during the Mamluk Sultanate that followed, culminating with the construction projects of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad in the 14th century. In the first half of the 19th century Muhammad Ali Pasha demolished many of the older buildings and built new palaces and monuments all across the site, giving it much of its present form. In the 20th century it was used as a military garrison by the British occupation and then by the Egyptian Army until being opened to the public in 1983. In 1976, it was proclaimed by UNESCO as a part of the World Heritage Site Historic Cairo (Islamic Cairo) which was "the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century."
The Muhammad Ali Mosque or Alabaster Mosque (Arabic: مسجد محمد علي) is a mosque situated in the Citadel of Cairo in Egypt and was commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848. Situated on the summit of the citadel, this Ottoman mosque, the largest to be built in the first half of the 19th century, is, with its animated silhouette and twin minarets, the most visible mosque in Cairo. The mosque was built in memory of Tusun Pasha, Muhammad Ali's eldest son, who died in 1816. This mosque, along with the nearby Cairo Citadel, are one of the landmarks and tourist attractions of Cairo .
Tucked away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the world's oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques, madrasas, hammams and fountains. Founded in the 10th century, it became the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century.
The Citadel of Cairo or Citadel of Saladin (Arabic: قلعة صلاح الدين, romanized: Qalaʿat Salāḥ ad-Dīn) is a medieval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo, Egypt, built by Salah ad-Din (Saladin) and further developed by subsequent Egyptian rulers. It was the seat of government in Egypt and the residence of its rulers for nearly 700 years from the 13th century until the construction of Abdeen Palace in the 19th century. Its location on a promontory of the Mokattam hills near the center of Cairo commands a strategic position overlooking the city and dominating its skyline. When it was constructed it was among the most impressive and ambitious military fortification projects of its time. It is now a preserved historic site, including mosques and museums.
In addition to the initial Ayyubid-era construction begun by Saladin in 1176, the Citadel underwent major development during the Mamluk Sultanate that followed, culminating with the construction projects of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad in the 14th century. In the first half of the 19th century Muhammad Ali Pasha demolished many of the older buildings and built new palaces and monuments all across the site, giving it much of its present form. In the 20th century it was used as a military garrison by the British occupation and then by the Egyptian Army until being opened to the public in 1983. In 1976, it was proclaimed by UNESCO as a part of the World Heritage Site Historic Cairo (Islamic Cairo) which was "the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century."
Islamic Cairo (Arabic: قاهرة المعز, romanized: Qāhira al-Muʿizz, lit. 'Al-Mu'izz's Cairo'), or Medieval Cairo, officially Historic Cairo (القاهرة التاريخية al-Qāhira tārīkhiyya), refers mostly to the areas of Cairo, Egypt, that were built from the Muslim conquest in 641 CE until the city's modern expansion in the 19th century during Khedive Ismail's rule, namely: the central parts within the old walled city, the historic cemeteries, the area around the Citadel of Cairo, parts of Bulaq, and Old Cairo (Arabic: مصر القديمة, lit. 'Misr al-Qadima') which dates back to Roman times and includes major Coptic Christian monuments.
The name "Islamic" Cairo refers not to a greater prominence of Muslims in the area but rather to the city's rich history and heritage since its foundation in the early period of Islam, while distinguishing it from with the nearby Ancient Egyptian sites of Giza and Memphis. This area holds one of the largest and densest concentrations of historic architecture in the Islamic world.: 7 It is characterized by hundreds of mosques, tombs, madrasas, mansions, caravanserais, and fortifications dating from throughout the Islamic era of Egypt.
In 1979, UNESCO proclaimed Historic Cairo a World Cultural Heritage site, as "one of the world's oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques, madrasas, hammams and fountains" and "the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century."
