The Gates of Cairo, Bābs al-Cairo, were gates at portals in the city walls of medieval Islamic Cairo, within the present day city of Cairo, Egypt.
The city of Cairo was founded in 969 CE by Gawhar al-Siqilli as the royal city of the Fatimid Caliphate, with a defensive wall. In 1092, Al-Afdal Shahanshah—Badr al-Jamali built a second wall around Cairo. The double walled city had a significant number of fortified gates at the portals protecting both the inner and outer city areas. The primary purpose was defense, but they also differentiated the various social and economic classes' districts and movements. Many gate surrounds were carved artistic elements and embellished decorative features, representing the ruler's and city's victories, power, faith, and influence.
Bāb (باب) is Arabic for "door" or "entrance"; from bawwaba (trans. "to divide into chapters or sections").
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