Gates to the Ancient City of Cairo
In the past, Cairo was called the Citadel or Tabia. When the Fatimid reign (969-1171) settled in Cairo under the leadership of El Moez Li-Dinellah it was called "Cairo of El Moez" because they decorated its four borders with luxurious buildings, delightful spots and gardens. El Fostat city was big and important due to plenty of buildings, many people and much of livelihood means, that is why Gawhar El Sakaly established the fortified gates (bab) and installed them around it in the four-sided wall.
Those gates did not only defend the city against enemies, but were built also for management and administrative purposes. No one was allowed to enter Cairo or stay there except for its residents, or those who go in for certain reasons during daytime only.

Bab Zuweila The prince of armies, Badr El Gamali, in 1087, built Bab El Fetouh, Bab El Nasr and Bab Zuweila - all were built of stories. Cairo gates at that time were eight on each side.

Bab El Bahr Bab El Bahr was one of the outside Cairo gates at the end of its northern wall from the western side.

Bab Al-Wazir It was built in 1174 by Bahaa El Din Qaraqush, Saladin's Minister, to defend the capital and surround all of it to the eastern Nile bank. It was destroyed during the rule of Mohamed Ali.

Bab El Barkia, 1st gate It was established by Gawhar El Sakaly, when the first wall was established. It was called Bab El Ghareeb. It was destroyed in 1936 and replaced by Al Azhar University.

Bab El Barkia, 2nd gate It was built by Saladin in1184 in the eastern Cairo wall, which was located in the Eastern Desert with the aim of widening Cairo from the eastern side.

El Bab El Gadid It was established in 1170 in the eastern wall overlooking the desert. It was situated at a distance of 150m south of El Zafar Tower. It was the third gate and it still stands in the eastern wall between Bab El Barkia and Bab El Makhrouk.

Bab El Husseinia It was built on the head of the road that connected between Bab El Fetouh of El Geish Square, which is known nowadays as El Husseinia Street, and El Bayouin Street. This gate was destroyed in 1895.

Bab El Khalk It was at the head of the road that joined Bab Zuweila and Bab El Khalk Square known nowadays as Taht El Rabie Street.

Bab El Khoga Bab El Khoga was one of Cairo gates on the western wall towards El Kadi Mosque at Zein El Abedeen Square in El Nahrein Street.

Bab Darb El Laban Its history goes back to the 14th Century. It is said that it was owned by a Mamlouk. It was a beautiful gate, ornamented with marble and knots.

Bab Zuweila It was built by armies’ leader Badr El Gamali in 1092 in the western wall. It was one of the largest Cairo gates.

Bab El Ser, El Jabel Citadel It was a gate especially made for the entrance of VIP princes and high State officials, such as ministers and clerks. Nowadays, it is known as El Wastani Gate.

Bab Seada It was one of the old Cairo gates in the western wall, that is parallel to El Khalij El Masry. It was established by Gawhar at the time of building the first wall.

Bab El Selsela, El Jabel Citadel It is known nowadays as Alarab Gate. It overlooked El Jabel Citadel. It had large minarets. In the past, it was known as El Estabel Gate.

Bab El Shairia It existed in the Northern wall of Cairo and was built by Saladin, west El Khalig El Masry at the distance located between El Khalij and Bab El Bahr.

Bab El Ghory This gate was located in the middle of Khan El Khalili market place. It is still there with the same engravings and writings. It was established upon the command of Prince Konswa El Ghory. It is a giant gate, very high, ornamented with decorations.

Bab El Fetouh It was established by Gawhar El Sakaly, and renewed by Badr El Gamali in 1087. It consisted of two rounded towers. The entrance was in the middle, and at both sides of the towers there were two windows.

Bab El Nasr It was established by Gawhar El Sakaly, and renewed by Badr El Gamali in 1085. This gate is considered one of the remaining Islamic monuments. Its front consists of two squares with sculptures of swords and shields.

Bab El Wazir It is one of Cairo outside gates in the last wall that was established by Saladin at the distance located between El Maherouk Gate and El Jabel Citadel.

Bab Khan El Khalili In 1511 Prince Seif El Din Jerkes El Khalili, in the age of King El Zaher Barqouk in the 14th Century, wanted to build a distinct gate. He chose the remaining of El Zaafran Cemetery.

Bab El Tawfik It was located at a distance of 10m west of Saladin's eastern wall on the remaining of Badr El Gamali wall (1097).

Bab El Farag It was located in the southern Cairo wall at the hall where the tomb of Set Seada is situated in the western side of the Security Building in Ahmed Maher Square.

Bab Qayet Bei (Cemetery) It was established in 1494, situated at the end of El Sayeda Aisha Street on the western side.

Bab Qasr El Selehdar It was established in 1347 in Souk El Selah. It is located near El Gay Youssefy School. It is one of the remaining palaces which were built by Prince Meng El Selehdar.

Bab El Qela It was located in one of the interior walls of the eastern nothern section of El Jabel Citadel. The wall was separating between the hall that was behind the general gate of the Citadel and the sultan floor.

Bab El Qantara One of Cairo gates that was established by Salah El Din El Ayoubi in 1173 on the eastern edge of El Khalij. It is known as Bab El Qantara, because it is situated towards El Qantara which was built by Gawhar El Sakaly on El Khalij.

El Bab Al Akhdar It was established of a block of engraved stone. It is 5.85m high and 6.65m wide. It is parallel to the El Hussein Mosque from the northern west. It is the only Fatimid monument existing of the tomb of El Hussein that was built to keep in his head put in a silver box.