It is one of the most famous sights in Islamic Cairo and El Moez Street. It is one of the rare examples of military architecture in the Islamic world. Bab Al Futuh is an Arabic name for this gate, meaning Gate of Conquests in English.
The History Jawhar al-Siqilli constructed it during his foundation of Cairo city. But the current gate was built by the vizier, Badr al‑Jamali, in 480 AH/1087 AD during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph al Mustansir Billah and named it Bab al-Iqbal or Gate of Prosperity.
It is one of the eight gates of Fatimid Cairo, located on the northern wall. It opens onto El Moez Street and leads to Bab Zuwayla at its southern wall. Only three gates remain: Bab Zuwayla, Bab Al Futuh, and Bab Al Nasr.
It is said that Bab Al Futuh, or Gate of Conquests, was called by this name because soldiers used this gate when they were going out on a military campaign.
The Design: This gate consists of two rounded towers. A stone shelf links those towers. This stone shelf has small windows allowing soldiers to pour boiling oil on invaders, as well defensive rooms with arrow slits. The gate is covered in vegetable and geometric decorations.
The towers of this gate have inscriptions for the names of the commanders of the French expedition of Napoleon Bonaparte for documenting their usage of those forts during their campaign.
The Mausoleum of Sidi Hassan El Zouk is located behind Bab Al Futuh. It dates back to the Mamluk period. This mausoleum is famous for an Egyptian saying that El Zouk did not go out of Egypt) it is noted that Hassan El Zouk was a pious man helping people resolve disputes. But one day, he was annoyed by the many conflicts and decided to leave Egypt. Suddenly, he died at the gate of Cairo, Bab Al Futuh, and was buried where he died.
