Islamic Cairo
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How it came to be
Arab forces founded Fustat beside the Nile in 642. After conquering Egypt in 969, the Fatimids had general Jawhar al-Siqilli lay out a new walled city, al-Qahira, and the Al-Azhar mosque was founded there in 970.
The older Ibn Tulun mosque, built in 876–879, was absorbed as the city spread. Saladin began the Citadel in 1176, and Mamluk sultans (1250–1517) added many mosques and madrasas. Historic Cairo was listed in 1979.
Travellers who came here
- 1828-09
He reached the port of Bulaq on 19 September and entered the city the next evening through Ezbekiya square, crowded for the festival of the Prophet's birthday. On the 22nd he climbed to the Citadel and saw Joseph's Well.
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