DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2873#0026
THE BAB EL-'AZAB, CITADEL, CAIRO.
>,HE Bab El-'Azab, so called because it is in the lower circuit of the Citadel, or the circuit
of the 'Azab, opens on the space of the Rumeyleh. It it a fine old gateway, built since the
Turkish conquest of Egypt, but not long after, and retaining the character of the older
buildings. The shattered condition of its ramparts testifies to the severe struggles of rival
factious in Cairo. From the Turkish occupation to the time of Mohammad 'Alee this country
was the scene of constant strife between the Pashas sent from Constantinople and the Memlooks
of Egypt, who shared the government with them. The stronghold of the Citadel was in turn held by either
party; from its heights the city was frequently cannonaded and bombarded, while the fire was vigorously
returned from the great Mosque of the Sultan Hasan, which faces the Bab-El-'Azab, and commands the
batteries of the upper circuit of the Citadel. By this gateway the Memlook cavalcade entered to the
audience with Mohammad 'Alee, which ensured their destruction; and it was this gate which was closed
against their return from his presence. An account is elsewhere given of their miserable fate; they fell
fighting, as it were, the air, hemmed in by their murderers, and confined in the narrow rocky ascent,
where they perished all but one man. Although the terrible story has been given, we cannot, with the
gloomy portal before us, omit some mention of the horrors it too vividly recalls. With the destruction of
the Memlooks, Mohammad 'Alee secured the Citadel against attack from the Mosque of the Sultan Hasan
by demolishing the stairs leading to the roof and minarets, as one of the Sultans had done before (see the
description of the Mosque of the Sultan Hasan). But the defence of the Citadel against European artillery
has been abandoned, as it is commanded by the Mount Mukattam in the rear. A long and easy approach has
been made from the north within the last few years, and the Bab El-'Azab is no longer the principal entrance.
The Rumeyleh is the scene of fairs, as it was formerly of races and other games. The horse-market
of Cairo is held in it, and in this view are seen some horses picketted in a row, forming part of the fair.
Just out of the Rumeyleh, in the street running under the Mosque of the Sultan Hasan, is the market for
swords, guns, and other arms. The Rumeyleh is also the principal place of execution of Muslims convicted
of capital offences. Christians and Jews are hanged against the windows of a mosque in the main thoroughfare-
street of the city, called the Ashrafeeyeh, where they linger often miserably for many hours. Muslims are,
or were, decapitated; and the place where they were washed, before burial, also in the Rumeyleh, used to be
frequented by the superstitions women of Cairo, who washed in the foul water, in the hope of curing every
disorder and removing every ill.
The upper circuit of the Citadel, called the circuit of the Janissaries, stands at a considerable height
above the town, defended by steep and lofty walls, surmounted by batteries. On the north and north-east
it encloses a large number of thickly-peopled streets. This part of the Citadel was the work of Salah ed-Deen,
but the work was conducted under the superintendence of his eunuch, Karakoosh, whose emblem, a colossal
eagle, is sculptured in basso-relievo on the face of the walls overlooking the town. The materials for the
construction of the fortifications were obtained from the Pyramids of El-Geezeh, with _ great labour, and at
the cost of sad destruction to these time-honoured monuments. The lower circuit, that of the 'Azab, was
added at a late period, and enclosed by the Turks. The 'Azab were a corps forming part of the garrison
of Cairo, who were forbidden to marry, and hence were called the " Bachelors," as their name signifies.
>,HE Bab El-'Azab, so called because it is in the lower circuit of the Citadel, or the circuit
of the 'Azab, opens on the space of the Rumeyleh. It it a fine old gateway, built since the
Turkish conquest of Egypt, but not long after, and retaining the character of the older
buildings. The shattered condition of its ramparts testifies to the severe struggles of rival
factious in Cairo. From the Turkish occupation to the time of Mohammad 'Alee this country
was the scene of constant strife between the Pashas sent from Constantinople and the Memlooks
of Egypt, who shared the government with them. The stronghold of the Citadel was in turn held by either
party; from its heights the city was frequently cannonaded and bombarded, while the fire was vigorously
returned from the great Mosque of the Sultan Hasan, which faces the Bab-El-'Azab, and commands the
batteries of the upper circuit of the Citadel. By this gateway the Memlook cavalcade entered to the
audience with Mohammad 'Alee, which ensured their destruction; and it was this gate which was closed
against their return from his presence. An account is elsewhere given of their miserable fate; they fell
fighting, as it were, the air, hemmed in by their murderers, and confined in the narrow rocky ascent,
where they perished all but one man. Although the terrible story has been given, we cannot, with the
gloomy portal before us, omit some mention of the horrors it too vividly recalls. With the destruction of
the Memlooks, Mohammad 'Alee secured the Citadel against attack from the Mosque of the Sultan Hasan
by demolishing the stairs leading to the roof and minarets, as one of the Sultans had done before (see the
description of the Mosque of the Sultan Hasan). But the defence of the Citadel against European artillery
has been abandoned, as it is commanded by the Mount Mukattam in the rear. A long and easy approach has
been made from the north within the last few years, and the Bab El-'Azab is no longer the principal entrance.
The Rumeyleh is the scene of fairs, as it was formerly of races and other games. The horse-market
of Cairo is held in it, and in this view are seen some horses picketted in a row, forming part of the fair.
Just out of the Rumeyleh, in the street running under the Mosque of the Sultan Hasan, is the market for
swords, guns, and other arms. The Rumeyleh is also the principal place of execution of Muslims convicted
of capital offences. Christians and Jews are hanged against the windows of a mosque in the main thoroughfare-
street of the city, called the Ashrafeeyeh, where they linger often miserably for many hours. Muslims are,
or were, decapitated; and the place where they were washed, before burial, also in the Rumeyleh, used to be
frequented by the superstitions women of Cairo, who washed in the foul water, in the hope of curing every
disorder and removing every ill.
The upper circuit of the Citadel, called the circuit of the Janissaries, stands at a considerable height
above the town, defended by steep and lofty walls, surmounted by batteries. On the north and north-east
it encloses a large number of thickly-peopled streets. This part of the Citadel was the work of Salah ed-Deen,
but the work was conducted under the superintendence of his eunuch, Karakoosh, whose emblem, a colossal
eagle, is sculptured in basso-relievo on the face of the walls overlooking the town. The materials for the
construction of the fortifications were obtained from the Pyramids of El-Geezeh, with _ great labour, and at
the cost of sad destruction to these time-honoured monuments. The lower circuit, that of the 'Azab, was
added at a late period, and enclosed by the Turks. The 'Azab were a corps forming part of the garrison
of Cairo, who were forbidden to marry, and hence were called the " Bachelors," as their name signifies.