The Citadel and the Mohammed Ali Mosque

A new day. Once again, at 5 a.m., we heard the Call to Prayer from the neighbouring mosque but we got up at 7 and were ready to face the day at 8:30 a.m. Today’s tour focussed on Old Cairo, not ancient Cairo but old Cairo. Our driver, Ahmed, and guide, Mamoud, were the same two guys that were with us yesterday.

Our day was going to be a little easier today - The Citadel, the new Museum of Egyptian Civilization, the Coptic (Christian) area and the big Khan El-Khalili Bazaar.

The Citadel of Cairo, located on a high limestone ridge, was built by Salah ad-Din (Saladin) and further developed by subsequent rulers. It was the seat of the government and the rulers’ residence for nearly 700 years from the 13th to the 19th century. It is now a historic site, including mosques and museums.

Because it is high on a hill yet still near the center of Cairo, it offers great views of the City and the pyramids from its terrace, when it’s not too foggy or smoggy. Apparently the views from here are better than the views from the Cairo Tower.

In 1976 it was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site showing Historic Cairo (Islamic Cairo). It’s been open to the public since 1983 and is one of the must-see places to see when visiting Cairo.

Have you ever wondered why the boxer Cassius Clay chose the name Mohammed Ali when he converted to Islam? Even though he said it meant “beloved of God”, it came from a real person, Muhammad Ali, who was known as the Father of modern Egypt. He was the founder of the Muhammad Ali dynasty that ruled over Egypt and Sudan from the 19th to the mid 20th century.

There are four mosques in the Citadel today, with the most popular and the most visible mosque being the Muhammad Ali mosque which was built in memory of his oldest son by a Turkish architect. It is built of white alabaster and has domes upon domes upon domes. It took 18 years to build.Read more