The newly-renovated Ramla and Haddad towers, which are part of the eastern wall of the Saladin Citadel in Cairo, were open to the public for the first time on Sunday.
The Saladin Citadel was built in the 12th century by Sultan Al-Nasser Saladin Al-Ayyubi, the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty and the hero of Jerusalem against the Crusaders.
The Citadel is home to many ancient mosques and museums that display the rich heritage of Egypt.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa said that opening these two towers is a great opportunity for visitors to discover and admire the beauty and history of the Citadel, which is one of the most important landmarks of Cairo.
Opening these unique archaeological sites will enhance the cultural product of Cairo, the minister said.
These additions will extend the tour inside the citadel to three or four hours, instead of the previous 40 to 50 minutes, Issa said.
Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Secretary General Mostafa Waziry said the restoration was undertaken by SCA experts with private sector funding.
He said that the Ramla Tower is 20.80 metres high in the shape of three-quarter circle, and two floors and an open roof.
He added that the tower was expanded during the reign of Sultan Al-Adil Al-Ayyubi, so that the arrow silts were converted into doorways leading to rectangular rooms covered with vaults, and each room ended with a small window.
The 22-metre semi-circular Haddad tower is one of the largest of the Citadel and was expanded by Sultan Al-Adil Al-Ayyubi to its current form, Waziry said.
It has a base with a shield and a vaulted ceiling. It also has three arms that end with ornate openings. Two of the openings lead to a semi-circular corridor with vaulted ceilings. The upper floor of the tower has an octagonal hall. The tower also has four stone balconies that jut out from the wall, supported by stone columns. The balconies have holes in the floor that were used to pour boiling oil or fire on enemies, he added.
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