Cairo Top Tours
Cairo Top Tours

Latest Articles

  • Al-Hakim be Aamr Ellah Mosque

    Mosque of al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah

    Al-Hakim Amr Allah Mosque, located on Al-Moez Street in Old Cairo, is a prominent Fatimid landmark and the fourth oldest surviving mosque in Egypt. Built in 380 AH during Al-Aziz Billah's reign, it was completed by his son in 403 AH (1012-1013 AD), making it the second largest mosque in Cairo after Ahmed Ibn Tulun Mosque. The mosque's name was attributed to him. The mosque, measuring 12005 meters in length and 113 meters in width, has two minarets at its sea front, surrounded by pyramid-shaped bases. The upper cubes are slightly backwards, and an octagonal minaret protrudes from each of the upper cubes.

  • Visit Queen Nefertari’s Tomb

    Tomb of Queen Nefertari

    There were also the great queens of the New Kingdom (1550-1090 BC) Nefertiti, the wife of Akhenaten (1371-1355 BC), and Nefertari, one of the celebrated eight wives of Ramses II (c. 1279-c. 1213 BC). While Nefertiti is more popular for the exquisite portrait bust of her that is located in Berlin, Nefertari is famous mostly for her large burial site situated in the Valley of the Queens.

  • tomb of Tutankhamun | Tutankhamun tomb discovery | king tut tomb pictures

    Tomb of Tutankhamun

    The Valley of the Kings, located on the Nile River's west bank near Thebes, served as a cemetery for pharaohs during the New Kingdom of Ancient Egyptians from 1539 to 1075 BC. The 20,000 square meter rocky valley houses 27 royal tombs from the 18th, 19th, and 20th Egyptian dynasties, which have been discovered to this day. Pharaoh Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut, was the last Eighteenth Dynasty Pharaoh from 1334 to 1325 B.C. He is famous for his intact tomb and treasures, unmarked grave, and premature death due to broken bones. His minister married his widow after his death.

  • the Virgin Mary’s tree.

    The Tree of Virgin Mary in Matareya

    The Coptic Orthodox Church commemorates the Feast of the Entry of the Holy Family into Egypt, a minor liturgical feast. It commemorates St. Joseph the Carpenter's obedience to an angel's command to take the child and his mother to Egypt, marking the entry of the Holy Family into the land of Egypt. The prayers begin on the eve of the liturgical day. The Maryam Tree Mazar, a significant tourist attraction in Egypt, is home to the Holy Family and has undergone significant development and renovations to maintain its historical significance.

  • Biography of Ahmad ibn Tulun

    Biography of Ahmad ibn Tulun

    Ahmad ibn Tulun's Turkish roots trace back to his father, who was a slave of Noah ibn Asad, the governor of Bukhara. Asad freed him, and Caliph Al-Ma'mun admired him. He was enrolled in the caliphate court and eventually became the head of the caliph's guard. Ahmad bin Tulun, born on September 20, 835 AD, in Baghdad, the capital of the caliphate, was well-cared for by his father, who taught him military arts, jurisprudence, hadith, and hadith, and encouraged him to learn from scholars and read the Qur'an.

  • Al Qusayr, Egypt | Al Quseir history

    Historical Background | Quseir Town

    The city of Al-Qusair is located on the western shore of the Red Sea in Egypt, 140 km south of Hurghada, and one of the most important villages of the city is Hamrawin village, with an area of 7,636 km², while its population is 50,023 people. Al-Qusayr, named after a fort that protected the nation during ancient Pharaonic, Roman, and other empires, was a hub for gold procurement by Pharaohs. Built by Sultan Selim I during the Ottoman period, the fortress remains intact.

Bab Zuweila - Cairo Gates

Facts About The Step Pyramid

  • 05 16, 2023

 Bab Zuweilla: An Entrance to Cairo’s Historical Legacy

Situated in the center of Cairo, Bab Zuweilla serves as a significant symbol of the city’s intricate and rich history. This ancient gate, one of the few surviving remnants from Cairo's medieval Islamic era, represents a crucial landmark that embodies the architectural and cultural transformations that have occurred throughout the ages.

Historical Importance

Constructed during the Fatimid Caliphate in the early 11th century, Bab Zuweilla exemplifies the contributions of the Fatimids to the Islamic Golden Age. This gate was an integral part of the city’s defensive walls, designed not only to shield Cairo from potential invasions but also to function as a grand entry point into the city.

The gate derives its name from the Zuweilla district, which was historically a vibrant center for commerce and residence. The term "Zuweilla" in Arabic translates to “the good ones” or “the fortunate ones,” likely alluding to the district's prosperity and significance during its peak.

Architectural Wonder

Bab Zuweilla is celebrated for its unique architectural characteristics. It stands as a remarkable example of Islamic military architecture, distinguished by its grand scale and elaborate details. The structure features two towering edifices that dominate the skyline, imparting a sense of authority. These towers are embellished with intricate geometric designs and Arabic inscriptions, highlighting the artistic skill of the period.

The design of the gate includes two expansive arched openings that facilitated the movement of people and goods, alongside a smaller entrance designated for pedestrians. The fortifications are equipped with battlements and defensive features, underscoring the strategic role of the gate in protecting the city.

Tags:
Share On Social Media:

Egypt Tours FAQ

Read top Egypt tours FAQs

Bab Zuweila is famous for being the door on which the heads of the messengers of Hulagu, the leader of the Tatars, were hung when they came threatening the Egyptians. From the military point of view, Bab Zuweila, built on the southern rib of the Cairo wall, is one of the defensive forts of the city of Cairo and was previously used as a public square to execute the guilty and hang their heads over this door.

Built by the Fatimid vizier, Badr al-Jamali, in 485 AH/1092 AD. The gate was named after the tribe of Zuwayla, who came from north Africa with Jawhar al-Siqili and quartered near the gate.

Bab Zuwayla is a big gate that was built a long time ago in 1092. It is one of only three gates that are still standing from a very old city called Cairo. Cairo was built by a group of people called the Fatimids in 969. The city was like a castle with a big wall made of mud and stones to keep it safe. Bab Zuwayla is one of the entrances to this special city.
 

Bab Zuweila is located in the historic district of Islamic Cairo, specifically in the area known as Fatimid Cairo. It stands at the southern end of Muizz Street, one of the oldest and most important streets in the city.

;

Cairo Top Tours Partners

Check out our partners

EgyptAir
Fairmont
Sonesta
the oberoi