Cairo Citadel, Medieval Islamic fortification on Mount Muqattam, Egypt
The Cairo Citadel is a medieval fortress on Mount Muqattam that spreads across a high rocky outcrop with wide views over the city. The compound includes several mosques, museums, and administrative buildings surrounded by walled courtyards and gardens.
The ruler Saladin started building the fortress in the late twelfth century to protect the city from the Crusaders. Later rulers expanded the compound and used it as a seat of government until the nineteenth century.
The inner courtyards with their open plazas and arcades show how Ottoman traditions shaped urban spaces in this part of Cairo. Many visitors come here to see the mosques and enjoy the view over the city, especially in early morning or late afternoon.
The fortress sits high on a rocky hill and the climb can be tiring in warm weather, so visiting in the morning is a good idea. Comfortable shoes are helpful because the paths inside the compound can be uneven and sometimes steep.
The fortress houses a military museum where weapons and uniforms from different centuries are on display. Part of the old water supply is still visible, including a deep well carved into the rock.
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