Bab Al Nasr is one of the most famous sights in Islamic Cairo. It is one of the rare examples of military architecture in the Islamic world before the Crusades.
Bab Al Nasr is an Arabic name for this gate, meaning Gate of Victory in English.
The historyBab Al Nasr was constructed by Jawhar al‑Siqilli during his foundation of Fatimid Cairo city. It was erected by brick. 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‑‘Izz, meaning the gate of glory or power. He founded this new gate from stone to be more protective.
Later, during his campaign in Egypt, Napoleon Bonaparte named this gate after the name of its officer, Thomas-Prosper Jullien, who was responsible for its security.
Despite this, the inhabitants use the original name, the Gate of Victory, which has remained in use.
It is one of the eight gates of Fatimid Cairo, located on the northern wall. Only three gates remain: Bab Zuwayla, Bab Al Futuh, and Bab Al Nasr. It opens onto al‑Gamaliya Street.
The design consists of two great square stone towers linked by a shelf. This shelf has small windows allowing soldiers to pour boiling oil on invaders, as well defensive rooms with arrow slits.
The gate holds an inscription written in Kufic calligraphy dating to the year of construction of this gate and its official name.
The gate and towers are distinguished by their decorations, holding a series of shields. It is thought that it refers to the protective role of the Fatimid fortifications, representing the protector of the city, as well as the victory as it is said that Bab Al Nasr or Gate of Victory was called this name because it was used for entering the soldiers when comeback victorious from their wars.
