The citadel in Cairo is one of the main attractions of the city. Castle of impressive dimensions was built by Sultan Saladin in the TWELFTH article the Main objective of this structure was to protect the Old city from enemies.

The Egyptian Sultan, together with its successors used the southern part of the citadel as an official Royal residence, while the North is under military garrison. In addition, in Cairo fortress was erected many other palaces and mosques, well-preserved today.

The citadel consisted of the guard towers of the main building and the gate. Gates were erected at various times. Cairo citadel had a very good location, so it was virtually inaccessible to invaders. During the reign of the Ottoman Empire in the citadel was the residence of the Turkish Viceroy.

Now from the original the Cairo citadel has survived virtually nothing, except that part of the fortress wall and the drill-Yusuf. The most notable attraction of the citadel is the mosque of Mohammed Ali, built in the NINETEENTH century a Huge main dome of the mosque, whose height is 52 m, dominates the entire Old town. According to Ottoman law, it was forbidden to build a mosque with more than one minaret. But the mosque of Mohammed has two minarets, which proves the intention of Muhammad Ali is no longer to submit to Istanbul.

On the South side Muhammadzai mosque, the Palace of al-Gawhara used as a Museum of treasures. Today the Palace is a historical Museum, which houses a portrait gallery and store items of Royal furniture. In the Northern part of the citadel was a military base and a prison. Also behind the mosque you can see the well known Joseph.

Every year thousands of tourists from all over the world come to admire the remains of the once great and invincible citadel.