It was an overwhelming feeling when Journalists participating in the 58th Training for Young African Journalists in Cairo paid a visit to the Citadel of Cairo.
Guided by organisers of the training, the Journalists were allowed to tour Egypt aside from the usual lectures.
After going through protocols at the entrance, they were welcomed by a Tour Guide who gave them the history of such a huge edifice.
They were taken through the building, where they were allowed to enter the mosque which has also been in existence for years.
The Journalists, as well as other tourists, were also given the chance to take photos around the building, inside the mosque, and on top of the citadel, where they also had a fair view of the old Cairo.
According to Historians, the Citadel of Cairo or Citadel of Saladin is a medieval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo, Egypt, built by Salah ad-Din (Saladin) and further developed by subsequent Egyptian rulers.
It was the seat of government in Egypt and the residence of its rulers for nearly 700 years from the 13th century until the construction of Abdeen Palace in the 19th century.
Its location on a promontory of the Mokattam hills near the center of Cairo commands a strategic position overlooking the city and dominating its skyline.
When it was constructed it was among the most impressive and ambitious military fortification projects of its time.
It is now a preserved historic site, including mosques and museums.
In addition to the initial Ayyubid-era construction begun by Saladin in 1176, the Citadel underwent major development during the Mamluk Sultanate that followed, culminating with the construction projects of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad in the 14th century.
In the first half of the 19th century, Muhammad Ali Pasha demolished many of the older buildings and built new palaces and monuments all across the site, giving it much of its present form.
In the 20th century, it was used as a military garrison by the British occupation and then by the Egyptian Army until being opened to the public in 1983.
In 1976, it was proclaimed by UNESCO as a part of the World Heritage Site Historic Cairo (Islamic Cairo) which was “the new center of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century.”
After the visit to the Citadel of Egypt, the Journalists were also sent to one of the biggest shopping city in Cairo, khan el khalily and El Moez Street to experience the Cairo market system.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori