The Citadel Aqueduct is one of the most-visited parts of the historic walls that had surrounded Cairo before. In Old Cairo, this landmark construction is situated.
At present, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is working on the maintenance of the archaeological areas and museums associated with this wall like restoration of the historic wall and the adjoining areas, with the development plan anticipated to get finished in 2021.
This concept of building an aqueduct to carry water to the Citadel is also known as the Citadel of the Mountain. It goes back to the era of Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi,
Popularly known as Salah Al-Din, he was an Iraqi Kurd who eventually turned into the first Sultan and founder of the Ayyubbid dynasty of Egypt and ruled during the 12th and 13th centuries.
Also, it was he who had built Cairo’s city wall, the beginning of which was close to Fustat. It is generally recognized as the small settlement from which the vast modern Egyptian capital came into existence.
A canal to carry water was built on top of the wall along with a system to allow water to be carried by means of a series of waterwheels from one of the wells supplying the city. The water flowed through the canal to the citadel. This water where was used for drinking purposes as well as for irrigation of the surrounding fields.
Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad bin Qalawun completely renovated the wall in 1312,. It extends for 2,800 metres in length from the mouth of the Gulf to the Bab Al-Qarafa area in the Sayeda Aisha district of Cairo.
The Tourism Ministry is all set to build up the wall. This includes the transfer of the locals who are based in workshops, factories and units. This needs all necessary measures to be taken for the approvals and permits for the development plan.
For the project, the main facilities essential will be developed on the borders of the development area, with the finance to compensate the locals of the workshops, factories and units in the area also to be provided.
The project aims to develop the Citadel Aqueduct to perk up this historic place and re-highlight its magnificence and make sure it’s added to the map of archaeological and tourist destinations in Egypt.
Tags: Cairo Citadel, Egypt
