Islamic heritage · Cairo
Bab al-Futuh
A Fatimid gate at the northern end of al-Mu'izz Street, one of the last gates of old Cairo's wall, beside the Mosque of al-Hakim.
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The story
Bab al-Futuh, meaning the Conquest Gate, is one of three gates that survive from the wall of old Cairo, along with Bab al-Nasr in the north and Bab Zuwayla in the south. It was first built in the Fatimid period in the 10th century, then built in its present form in 1087 by the vizier Badr al-Jamali under Caliph al-Mustansir. It stands at the entrance of al-Mu'izz Street, beside the Mosque of al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah.
Good to know
- It is one of only three gates still standing from the wall of old Cairo.
- It stands at the northern end of al-Mu'izz Street.
- Its two towers have rounded fronts and are linked by a platform with shafts through which boiling oil could be poured on attackers.