1092年完工的祖维拉门(Bab Zuwayla)是开罗法蒂玛古城现存最古老的南城门,也是那个时代防御性建筑的巅峰之作。作为开罗仅存的三座石造城门之一,它最吸引人的地方在于那两座嵌入城墙、高达40多米的宣礼塔,支付大约120埃镑门票就能爬到塔顶俯瞰开罗老城密密麻麻的尖塔与民居。
说起祖维拉门的历史,血腥味和神圣感是交织在一起的。这座大门在马木留克王朝时期是公开处决罪犯的官方地点,最出名的一次行刑发生在1517年。当时奥斯曼土耳其人攻占了开罗,马木留克王朝最后一位苏丹托曼贝伊(Tuman Bay)就在这扇大门前被绞死。当时围观的开罗民众挤满了门外的空地。如今走进拱门时,如果抬头观察那些巨大的铜制门扇,仍能感受到那种冰冷的压迫感。
当地老一辈人对这座门有另一种敬畏,他们称其为“米特瓦利门”(Bab al-Mitwali)。民间传说这里住着一位法力无边的圣人米特瓦利,他能瞬间移动,并常常在门后倾听人们的祈祷。在19世纪以前,生病或遇到麻烦的开罗人会把牙齿、头发或碎布条塞进大门巨大的铁钉缝隙里,希望能得到圣人的庇佑。虽然现在这些“遗迹”大多已被清理,但那种植根于老城肌理的宗教神秘感依然挥之不去。
想要看到最美的开罗,付出汗水是必须的。进入祖维拉门后,左手侧就是通往苏丹穆艾亚德清真寺(Mosque of Sultan al-Mu'ayyad)宣礼塔的入口。这里的阶梯是典型的螺旋式结构,大约有100多级,台阶磨损得比较厉害,有些地方坡度很陡,且宽度仅容一人通过。攀爬时建议抓紧旁边的扶手,因为石块在千年踩踏下已经变得非常湿滑。说真的,如果膝盖不太好或者有严重恐高症,爬这两座塔确实是个不小的挑战。
当你气喘吁吁地爬到塔顶阳台时,会发现一切努力都值了。南边是雄伟的萨拉丁大城堡,北边则是绵延超过1公里的穆兹大街(Al-Muizz Street)。由于开罗老城的建筑限高,40多米的高度足以让你平视周围大部分清真寺的圆顶。在下午四五点钟登顶,你能看到夕阳把土黄色的建筑群染成金红色,随着宣礼声在整座城市上空此起彼伏,那种震撼感远比在路面行走要强烈得多。
目前的门票价格对外国游客大约是120埃镑,学生凭证件可以享受半价。开放时间通常是早晨9点到下午5点,但建议在下午4点之前抵达,因为安保人员有时会提前关闭通往塔顶的小门。钱的问题得算清楚,售票处通常不收现金,只能刷国际信用卡或者当地的扣款卡。售票处就在大门入口右侧一个不起眼的小房间里,别走过了。
祖维拉门是开罗老城“中轴线”穆兹大街的南端终点。如果你先逛了汗哈利利市场(Khan el-Khalili),只需沿着路一直向南走大约15分钟就能到达。沿途你会经过帐篷集市(Khayamiya),那里有很多手工缝制的阿拉伯挂毯。与其打车被堵在狭窄的老城巷子里,不如全程步行,这样你才能看到当地人在古城墙根下喝茶抽水烟的真实生活场景。
是的,目前祖维拉门的两座宣礼塔均处于开放状态,只要天气条件允许,游客可以爬到最顶层的阳台。门票大约120埃镑,建议穿防滑耐磨的运动鞋,因为螺旋石阶梯级较高且部分区域光线昏暗。
如果只是拍照打卡,30分钟足够。但如果你想仔细观察门洞内的法蒂玛式石刻,并爬上两座塔楼各待一会儿,建议预留1.5小时左右。下午晚些时候去光线最好,不仅不那么燥热,还能拍到萨拉丁城堡的剪影。
祖维拉门北侧紧挨着苏丹穆艾亚德清真寺,它的宣礼塔其实就是借用了城门的塔基。门外正对的是帐篷集市,售卖极具埃及特色的拼布工艺品。往北走约15分钟就是著名的汗哈利利市场,这一条线非常适合安排一整天的深度徒步。
bogdan alexandru bola This is one of three remaining gates in the city walls of historic Cairo in Egypt. The two minaret towers were added between 1415 and 1422 as part of the construction of the adjacent Mosque of Sultan al-Muayyad. It is a safe part of Cairo, cleamer than others and very safe. It was a pleasure walking around this part of town
Chun Sing TEH You have to enter from the busy street markets. Nice photo taking scenic on top but Becareful of fall.
Jess One of the highlights from our trip to Cairo. The views from the minaret are stunning, well worth the adrenalin rush if you’re able to tackle the steep climb to get to the top (including up a thin and wobbly steel “ladder”). Even the climb to the first level before the minarets had a tricky spiral staircase that was dark and narrow — definitely not for the mobility impaired.
Mohamed Fathy Very nice and beautiful.. parking is difficult there.. tickets for entrance is 10 LE for Egyptians.. view from the top is amazing as you can see old Cairo and the many minarets there..
By. Anilsah AA We visited Bab Zuwayla in mid-December. We came with a tour guide. Parking is difficult to get. We have to pay by cash, no credit card payments. We paid E£100/pax. No discount for students. It is a small area; there are some old plates, vases & pots from the era kept inside the cabinets. The climb to the 2nd top layer of the tower is easy & you get to see the beautiful view of the old Cairo.
Seokjin Ham It is the last remaining southern gate from the walls of Cairo during the Fatimid period in the 11th and 12th centuries. You can climb up the tower and see a panoramic view of Cairo's old city. There are many different types of transportation on the narrow road, so be careful when walking.
Shane Kennedy Cairo gate and tent street where you find hand sown Egyptian applique. You can still climb the minaret at the gate. One of the oldest part's of Cairo
Khaled Diab Very nice to climb the minaret to have a better experience and view of Cairo