Tales at the Foot of the Citadel (Home of Wood Cutters, Craftsmen, and Artisans)

Only walking distance from the New Gate (al-Bab al-Jadid) of the Citadel (built by Mohamed Ali instead of the traditional Ayyubid stairwell gate), lies the neighbourhood of wood cutters, craftsmen, and artisans born and bred beneath the walls of the Citadel. On this tour, we visit the home of those who provided the Citadel with wood, pearl, textiles, and endless handmade crafts for many years.
On our tour, we will stroll through Dar al-‘Adl Square, ‘Atfit al-Kassara and Bab al-Wada’, and other streets named after the stories that reflect the interwoven history of the great Citadel. We will visit other streets and alleys distinguished by their special landscapes blended with light Egyptian humour.
A walk amongst old doors, windows and traditional workshops will carry us to the world of pearl-work, woodwork, khiyamiyya and other centuries-old crafts almost nearing extinction and will lead us to al-Shurafa shrine, one of the monuments known for its peculiar myths.
And only a few metres away, in al-Hattaba desert by the al-Huggag waterwheel, is where children play despite the haunting legend of Mother of Thorns (Umm al-Shawk). As we stand on the summit of al-Khanqah al-Nizamiyya, we will get a chance to appreciate the unique view of Fatimid and Mamluk Cairo stretching from Bab Zuwalia to Bab al-Wazir. That same spot happened to be utilized by Bonaparte’s soldiers in the 14th century as a fort to fire at Egyptian forces.
Down al-Duhdira street, we will stop at the first Mamluk-style Sabil, eloquently independent and carved into the mountain. We will also visit al-Manshikiyya square, to view another independent minaret.
Lastly, the tour will end with a refreshing gathering and warm cup of tea in al-Hattaba Garden implemented by Megawra with support from Pepsi Co.

Tour guide: Maissa Mostafa
This tour will be held in Arabic, no translation will be provided.

Tour Itinerary:
Bab al-’Azab
Dome of al-Zahir Abu Sa’id Qunsuwa
Zawiya of Hasan al-Rumi
Dome of Ragab al-Shirazi
National Archives of Egypt
Sikkat al-Mahgar and Babal-Wada’ passing through workshops
Mosque and Khanqah of Manjak al-Yusufi
Sabil and Trough of al-Amir Shaykhu al-Amery
Dome of al-Amir Yunus al-Dawadar
Entry to al-Hattaba Neighbourhood
Wood and Pearl Inlay and Workshops
AlKhanqah al-Nizamiyya
Panorama from Bab al-Wazir
Al-Huggag Waterwheel and Citadel Walls
Al-Shurafa’ Mausoleum
Streets and alleys of al-Hattaba
Al-Bab al-Jadid (the New Gate)
Al-Hattaba Garden

Time and Date:
Saturday, 29 January 2022
Meeting time: 09:45am
Tour starts: 10:00am
Tour ends: 1:00pm
Meeting point – in front of Bab al-Azab
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Tour fees: EGP 210
To sign up please fill in the form:
https://forms.gle/GW45fGXv29YvF3Yc8

This guided tour is one of the services provided by Athar Lina Product Line. The product line is one of the outcomes of Athar Lina Heritage Design Thinking School project, run by Built Environment Collective, funded by Drosos Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Solidarity.