The Cairo Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali: What to See
After the pyramids, the Cairo Citadel is the sight travellers most often recognise in photos of Cairo: the silhouette of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali with its two slender minarets can be seen from almost anywhere. Below: the history of the fortress, what to see in and around the mosque, how to dress and how to include the Citadel in a trip from the resorts.
History of Saladin’s Citadel
In 1176 Sultan Salah ad-Din — the Saladin who fought the Crusaders — began building a fortress on a spur of the Mokattam hills. For almost seven centuries it was home to Egypt’s rulers: the Mamluks, Ottoman pashas and khedives.
In 1811 the Citadel saw the “Massacre of the Mamluks”: the ruler Muhammad Ali invited the Mamluk beys to a celebration and had them killed, becoming the sole master of Egypt. Later he built the mosque here that bears his name today.
The Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali
Cairo’s most recognisable building: a huge central dome and two minarets more than 80 m tall. The mosque was built in 1830–1848 in the Ottoman style, modelled on the mosques of Istanbul. Inside are hundreds of hanging lamps, gilding and alabaster cladding, which gives the mosque its nickname.
In the courtyard stands a clock that the French King Louis-Philippe gave Muhammad Ali in return for the Luxor obelisk he had given France — the one now standing on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Its twin remains at the entrance to Luxor Temple. According to the guides, the clock never really worked.
What else to see in the Citadel
- The viewpoint by the mosque — all of Cairo, the minarets of the Islamic city and, on a clear day, the pyramids on the horizon.
- The Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad from the 14th century — Mamluk, with columns taken from older buildings.
- The Military and Police museums — for history buffs.
If you have time, walk down into Islamic Cairo to the mosques of Sultan Hassan and al-Rifai at the foot of the hill.
When to go and how much time you need
Allow 1.5–2 hours for the mosque, the viewpoint and a walk along the walls. Mornings bring fewer groups and better views: by lunchtime a haze rises over the city.
How to visit the Cairo Citadel from the resorts
The Citadel is part of Cairo city tours and private tours, as well as two-day trips. If you have only one day in Cairo, the priority is the pyramids and the museum; the Citadel can be added on a private tour or on a programme that includes a mosque. All city routes are in our article “Things to do in Cairo”.
Historical · Cairo
Fall in Love with Cairo in 1 Day
- 8 hours
- Private
- On request
Cairo & pyramids · Hurghada
Cairo by Bus from Hurghada (with a Church and a Mosque)
- 22 hours
- Group
- Wed, Thu, Sat
- Kids friendly
