Exploration, Cairo’s historic Citadel, a prominent landmark in the Egyptian capital, has expanded its offerings by opening a new wing to the public. The Citadel of Cairo, one of the world’s largest medieval citadels, traces its origins back to approximately 1176 A.D. when construction commenced under the leadership of Muslim military commander Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi. Notably, Salah al-Din later achieved the conquest of Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187 A.D. Over its rich history, the Citadel served as the government’s base in Egypt for more than 700 years.
The newly accessible section, previously utilized for private events and housing army and police barracks, features two semi-circular towers known as the Ramla and Haddad (blacksmith) towers. These towers were constructed in the decades following Salah al-Din’s death by his successors Sultan Al-Adil Al-Ayyubi and Sultan Al-Nasser Saladin Al-Ayyubi.
Tourism Minister Ahmed Eissa announced the opening of this additional section as part of a broader initiative to enhance tourism in Egypt. Eissa revealed that a comprehensive plan for tourism improvement would be officially unveiled next month. The aim is to extend the duration of visitors’ tours within the Citadel, transforming the historic site into a more immersive experience. Eissa shared that the envisioned plan seeks to position Cairo as a new cultural product, introducing a concept termed ‘Cairo City Break,’ with further details set to be disclosed in the coming months.
