A Peek into The History
Rambling over a rock spur on the eastern edge of the city, the Citadel, initiated in 1176 by Saladin as a defensive structure against the Crusaders, was a base to Egypt's swayers for over 700 years. Their bequest is a compounding of three unique mosques, multiple places (putting up some nearly-forever closed or overwhelming museums) plenteous terraces with magnificent Cairo sights – on a bright day; you'll watch Giza's Pyramids stabbing at the far distance.
Complying they're overruled of the dynasty of Saladin Ayyubid, the Mamluks expanded the complex, bestowing luxurious harems and palaces. Under the Ottomans from 1517 – 1798, the fortress boomed westward, and a different master gate, the Bab Al Azab, was bestowed, though the Mamluk palaces devolved. In 1798, when Napoleon's French excursion took command, the emperor's savants viewed these buildings as some of the most hunky-dory Islamic monuments in Cairo.
It didn't hold back Mohammed Ali to grow to a tycoon after the French – from reforging drastically and topping the complex with the Ottoman-trend mosque that rules Cairo's eastern skyline. When Ismail, Muhammed Ali's grandson, traveled to his mansion to the Abdeen Palace, the Citadel turned into a military fort.
Things you should know before visiting the Cairo Citadel
You must pay a substantial charge to get into the Cairo Citadel. The entry pass allows you to access all the inside views, including the Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque, Alabaster Mosque, the Carriage Museum, the Egyptian Military Museum, and the Suleiman Pasha Mosque. Most tourists visit this place as a section of an Old Cairo visit, most of which consist of Islamic Cairo highlights as the Sultan Hassan Mosque, Al-Khalili Bazaar, and the Mosque of Ibn Tulun. Most travelers add Egyptian Cairo signature scenes, like the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Hanging Church.
Attractions for the kids and old people
The Cairo Citadel is a must-visit place for architecture fans and history buffs.
Military-minded children will adore the exposure of planes, cannons, and tanks at the Coptic Military Museums.
On a bright day, sights expand all over Cairo till the Giza pyramids.
Old visitors can also visit the Citadel in a wheelchair and watch the royal exteriors of the buildings. However, most attractions are not approachable, and curbs usually lack inclines.
How can you get there?
The Cairo Citadel is located in Old Cairo at the top of Mokattam Hill, almost 5 kilometers southeast of Tahir Square. It's a little far from the closest metro station, and you can't use the bus network in Cairo unless you know Arabic, many visitors travel to this place with the help of transport. It remains open seven days a week; however, museums are not always accessible. To have a less full traveling experience, you can visit the Cairo Citadel beyond the Islamic Weekend.
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