Gates of Cairo
The Gates of 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 new royal city of the Fatimid Caliphate, with a defensive wall. In 1092, the Fatimids 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. The gates were influenced by the designs of gates that the Fatimids had built in Tunisia, most prominently the main gate to Mahdia. "Bāb" () is Arabic for "door" or "entrance"; from "bawwaba" (trans. "to divide into chapters or sections"). Gates. Cairo's medieval city gates include: