Bab El Futuh

Stone fortifications around medieval Cairo appeared in the XI century. These walls have replaced the more fragile adobe. The Bab al-Futuh gate, which translates as the Gate of Conquest, was arranged in the north wall. In total in Cairo of that time there were three gates leading into the city. On the same side as Bab al-Futuh, there was another gate called Bab al-Nasr. They also survived to this day. The ancient stone blocks brought from Memphis were used as the building material for the Bab al-Futuh gate.

Beyond the gates of Bab al-Futuh, the main street of Cairo of that era begins – Kasaba. It leads to the southern gate of the city – Bab al-Zuweil. You can walk from the north gate to the south for about 30 minutes.

Through the gates of Bab al-Futuh, hundreds of pilgrims left Cairo, heading for the Muslim city of Mecca. No fewer people returned home after the hajj. The arrival of caravans with pilgrims was arranged very solemnly.

The gate of Bab al-Futuh was a serious fortification, able to hold the enemy for some time. In their towers you can see narrow loopholes through which the defenders of the city could shoot and pour hot oil on the heads of the attackers. For some time, there was a dungeon right at the gate, where not only were the criminals held, but they also carried out death sentences. The bodies of the unfortunate hanged were then carried to the square in front of the gate, where a distraught crowd tore them up for souvenirs.

In the immediate vicinity of the Bab Al-Futuh gate is the Al-Hakim Mosque, which in the past was also part of the defense system of Cairo.