March 08, 2024
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has recently inaugurated the 12th-century Ramla and Haddad Towers at the Salah al-Din al-Ayoubi Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This significant event introduces a novel tourist attraction to the Citadel, embodying the Ministry's ambition to unveil the 'Cairo City Break' cultural initiative. The comprehensive restoration project undertaken for these towers involved meticulous masonry repairs, extensive cleaning, structural maintenance, and the establishment of an accessible visitor pathway complemented by informative signage.
The Ramla Tower, reaching a height of 20.80 meters, exhibits a distinctive three-quarter circular design, comprising two floors with a rooftop access. Similarly shaped, the Haddad Tower stands out as one of the Citadel's most prominent structures, distinguished by its projecting balconies that served as strategic defense points in the past.
The Citadel itself, initiated around 1176 AD under the leadership of Salah al-Din Al-Ayoubi, is acclaimed as one of the grandest medieval fortresses globally. Over centuries, it has served as the administrative center for various ruling entities, including the Ayoubids, Mamluks, Ottomans, and Khedives, marking a historical span from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The Citadel has been expanded and restructured through six significant phases, encompassing famed landmarks such as the Mosques of Al-Nasser Mohamed, Suleiman Pasha al-Selehdar, and Mohamed Ali Pasha.
