DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11715#0044
THE LAND OF THE PHARAOHS.
Perhaps there is no place in the immediate vicinity of the city which is visited and
revisited with deeper interest than the Citadel. It stands on a rocky eminence which
rises to the east of Cairo, and commands a magnificent view extending over the city, the
desert, and far down the Nile valley. In this wonderful view the Pyramids form the
most impressive feature. Though clearly visible, and within easy reach, they stand
quite apart from the surrounding landscape. The narrow strip of cultivated soil along
the banks of the river approaches, but does not touch them. The solitude and silence
of the desert broods over them. The noise from the city at our feet falls upon our ears.
SANCTUARY OF THE MOSQUE OF IBN-TOOLOON.
Its busy life moves beneath our eyes. But nothing breaks in upon the sense of awful
mystery and separation from the existing world which invests these venerable monu-
ments of antiquity.
A tragic interest attaches to one of the courts of the Citadel. In 1811 Mohammed
Ali learned that the Mamlukes intended to rebel against him. He therefore invited
their chiefs to be present in the Citadel on the investiture of his son Toossoom Pasha
with the command of the army. Upwards of four hundred came. The ceremony oven
on mounting their horses to ride away, they found the gates closed. At the same
moment, a fierce fire of musketry was opened upon them from the windows of the
40
Perhaps there is no place in the immediate vicinity of the city which is visited and
revisited with deeper interest than the Citadel. It stands on a rocky eminence which
rises to the east of Cairo, and commands a magnificent view extending over the city, the
desert, and far down the Nile valley. In this wonderful view the Pyramids form the
most impressive feature. Though clearly visible, and within easy reach, they stand
quite apart from the surrounding landscape. The narrow strip of cultivated soil along
the banks of the river approaches, but does not touch them. The solitude and silence
of the desert broods over them. The noise from the city at our feet falls upon our ears.
SANCTUARY OF THE MOSQUE OF IBN-TOOLOON.
Its busy life moves beneath our eyes. But nothing breaks in upon the sense of awful
mystery and separation from the existing world which invests these venerable monu-
ments of antiquity.
A tragic interest attaches to one of the courts of the Citadel. In 1811 Mohammed
Ali learned that the Mamlukes intended to rebel against him. He therefore invited
their chiefs to be present in the Citadel on the investiture of his son Toossoom Pasha
with the command of the army. Upwards of four hundred came. The ceremony oven
on mounting their horses to ride away, they found the gates closed. At the same
moment, a fierce fire of musketry was opened upon them from the windows of the
40