• Bab Zuweila Cairo Egypt
  • Bab Zuweila Cairo Egypt
  • Bab Zuweila Cairo Egypt
  • Bab Zuweila Cairo Egypt
  • Bab Zuweila Cairo Egypt
  • Bab Zuweila Cairo Egypt

Bab Zuweila Cairo Egypt tours, booking, prices, reviews

Bab Zuweila Cairo is one of three remaining gates in the walls of the Old City of Cairo Egypt. In fact, Bab Zuweila Cairo also known as Bawabbat al-Mitwally during the Ottoman period. Sometimes spelled Bab Zuwayla. It is indeed one of the major landmarks of the city. Moreover, it is the last remaining southern gate from the walls of Fatimid Cairo in the 11th and 12th century. The word of Bab is an Arabic word means “Door”. Zuweila is the name of a tribe of Berber warriors from the western desert. They are members of which charged with guarding the gate. The city of Cairo founded in 969 as the royal city of the Fatimid’s Dynasty. In 1092, Badr al-Jamali built a second wall around Cairo.

In fact, Bab Zuweila Cairo was the southern gate in this wall. Moreover, it has twin towers (minarets) which can accessed via a steep climb. In earlier times they used to scout for enemy troops in the surrounding countryside. In modern times, they hailed for providing one of the best views of Old Cairo. The structure also has a famous platform. Executions would sometimes take place there. The Sultan would stand to watch the beginning of the Hajj. He also would see the annual pilgrimage to Mecca from this location. Sometimes the severed heads of criminals would displayed along the tops of the walls. In fact, it done recently in 1811. The severed heads of Mamluks from the Citadel massacre mounted on spikes here.

Further details about Bab Zuweila Cairo:

The corresponding gate on the northern side of the city was the Bab al-Futuh. Futuh is an Arabic word meaning “opening”. Bab Al-Futuh still stands on the northern side of the Muizz street. Bab Zuweila featured in a major story from the 13th century. In 1260, the Mongol leader Hulagu was attempting to attack Egypt. After he forced the surrender of Damascus. Hulagu sent six messengers to Qutuz in Cairo, demanding his surrender

To the west of the Bab Zuweila Cairo had been a dungeon, which once imprisoned sheik Amir Al Mu’ayyad. While still a prisoner, he vowed that if he ever released, he will someday destroy the dungeon. Besides, to build a mosque in its place. He released, and rose to become Sultan of all Egypt. Bab Zuweila has survived from 1092 to the present. It is by accepting layers added to it or letting go of layers subtracted from its original entity. Layers added during later periods usually distinguished from earlier ones. Layers removed tend to leave traces. To “read a wall” is to detect these differences

Nearby attractions Information, tours and Online Booking

More of Islamic Egypt

More of Egypt attractions