Citadel of Salah al-Din
Cairo, Egypt · Salah al-Din's fortress above the Muqattam
An impregnable Islamic fortress built by Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, which served as the seat of government in Egypt for centuries.
Did you know?
- Salah al-Din began building it to protect Cairo from the Crusader campaigns, and al-Kamil al-Ayyubi completed it after him.
- It remained the seat of Egypt's government for about seven centuries, until rule moved to Abdeen Palace in the nineteenth century.
- Inside it is “Joseph's Well”, a deep well cut into the rock to secure water in times of siege.
- It is crowned by the Mosque of Muhammad Ali with its domes and two slender minarets, next to the Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun.
History and architecture
After Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi took charge of Egypt, he realized that Cairo needed an impregnable fortress to protect it and bring the seat of government and the army together in one place. He chose a spur of the Muqattam hills overlooking the city and began building in 572 AH; walls and towers were raised and the well was dug into the rock. The Ayyubids completed the construction after him, the Mamluks added palaces and mosques, and in the nineteenth century Muhammad Ali Pasha built his great mosque, which became the citadel's best-known feature. For centuries its walls witnessed major events in Egypt's history, and it still overlooks Cairo like a guard that never sleeps. In 1811 CE the citadel saw a famous incident, when Muhammad Ali Pasha did away with the Mamluk leaders within its walls.
Founded: 572 AH / 1176 CE
Religious significance
A symbol of the defense of Muslim lands in the age of the Crusades, linked to the name of Salah al-Din, the liberator of Jerusalem.
Allah says: “And prepare against them whatever you are able of strength” (Al-Anfal 8:60), and the citadel embodied that preparation.
It contains active mosques where prayers are held, most notably the Mosque of Muhammad Ali and the Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun.
Visiting tips
- Best time: In the morning or just before sunset, to avoid the midday heat and enjoy a clear view over Cairo.
- Photography: From the terrace of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali overlooking Cairo, where the minarets of the Sultan Hassan and al-Rifa'i mosques appear.
- Nearby: Mosque of Sultan Hassan, Al-Rifa'i Mosque, Mosque of Ahmad ibn Tulun
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Get it on Google PlayFrequently asked questions
Where is Citadel of Salah al-Din?
Citadel of Salah al-Din is in Cairo, Egypt.
When was Citadel of Salah al-Din founded?
572 AH / 1176 CE