High turnout of visitors to Salah al-Din Citadel on Eid al-Adha’s third day

CAIRO – 2 August 2020: On the third day of Eid al-Adha, Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi Mosque (Citadel) and the Mohammad Ali Pasha Mosque witnessed a great turnout from visitors.

The visitors enjoyed the historical places amid tight precautionary measures to combat the novel virus.  

Visitors were keen to take pictures in the archaeological areas inside the castle overlooking old (historical) Cairo as it represents one of the most important Islamic monuments in Egypt.

The Castle of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Salah al-Din Citadel), also known as the Citadel of the Mountain, is located in the Citadel neighborhood in Cairo. It was erected on a separate plateau from the Mukattam Mountain on the outskirts of Cairo.

It is considered one of the most luxurious war castles built in the Middle Ages because of its strategic location with the defense it provides controlling the cities of Cairo and Fustat. It also constitutes a high natural barrier between the two cities.

Salah al-Din established this fortress on a hilltop from Mukattam Mountain. Its construction was completed by his brother, the just king (El-Malek El Adel), in 1208 AD, with the aim of securing Cairo against possible invasions.

The historical Citadel recently reopened for visitors after it was among the historical and archaeological locations previously closed by a decision from the Egyptian Cabinet due to the COVID-19 pandemic.