The Citadel of Saladin (EL-Qala) The construction of the Citadel of Saladin was started by King Saladin in 1170 A.D, and completed by his brother, King El-Addel. It is located on a high hill that overlooks the old city of Cairo. Saladin built this fortress to protect the old city of Cairo, and it mainly consists of enclosure walls and watchtowers, as well as many, many gates! As every 120m there are gates into the Citadel
that were built at various times in history.
The architectural plan of the fortress resembles
many of the ones that were built in Syria and Palestine at the time of the Crusades. Later on, the Citadel became a major training centre for the Egyptian army. The Citadel was neglected until the Mamluke Period,
in the 14 th Century, when they used it as a residence for the Sultan.
Also, in that Century, the Sultan El-Naser Mohamed added
many buildings, including a Mosque, inside the castle. During the Ottoman times, the Turks installed further reinforcements, and used it as a residence for the Turkish Viceroy,
as well as increasing the number of garrisons in the Citadel. Under Mohamed Ali, there were other monuments added to the Citadel, among them the great alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. Places you should visit in the Citadel: The Mosque of Mohamed Ali The Mosque of EL-Nasser Mohamed (The Mosque with the green dome!) The Military Museum

The Citadel in Cairo is most often overlooked by tour organizers trying to fit all of Cairo into a 12 hour visit. However, after a trip to Ghiza to see the pyramids and to the Egyptian Museum to see what ever was left after grave robbers and British colonial archaeologists had had a go at the tombs, the Citadel is well worth a trip. Overlooking Cairo the old Mosques can be visited and admired for their size an beauty. There is also a museum in honour of the Egyptian armed forces. Unless you have a bizarre interest in militarism combined with unadulterated self-glorification, this museum can be skipped. It was built with assistance of consultants from North Korean and this is obvious in the almost megalomaniac portrayal of the Egyptian armies from the Pharaonic eras until now.

The Citadel, also called Al-Qala, is a walled fortress on top of a hill overlooking Cairo. In the past it had been the home to Egypt's rulers for about 700 years. The Citadel was built in different stages, so it turned out to be a mix of differing styles
There's a lot to see in the Citadel - several museums, various historical buildings and three mosques. My favorite part was the perfect, unobstructed view of Cairo. You can see everything from here, including the Pyramids of Giza...it's an amazing place to visit!

si visitais como yo la ciudadela fijaos bien en el reloj que hay en la plaza frente a la entrada de la mezquita de alabastro, este reloj que no funciona ni ha funcionado nunca se lo cambiaron los franceses a las autoridades egipcias por uno de los obeliscos del templo de Luxor, dejando la entrada de dicho templo falta de simetria. ¿porque no lo devuelven a su lugar?

there's  much to admire at this fortress, seating high on the hill in cairo, but don't miss the ottomo mosque , which is the jewel in the crown. the glass chandeliers will make the mostly lovely tingling sound when the wind blows, and will haunt you far after your vacation...