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By Hazel Heyer eTurbo News For the first time in five centuries, one of Egypt’s countless treasures, the Bab Zuweila, is once again accessible to the public. Located in the heart of historic Cairo, the 902-year-old Islamic monument is situated in the more traditional and older residential district in the Egyptian capital, with a population predominantly lower-middle class.
The Bab Zuweila was built in 1092 as the southern gateway of the walled city; it became over time a site for commerce, religious devotion, processions, celebrations and justice. As the finest example of fortified structure preceding the Crusaders (who built around the Middle East way before most any invaders did), it was erected to resist the Ottoman Empire.
The monument stands out for its imposing 80-meter twin minarets built by the Mamluk Sultan on the top of the gate’s adjoining towers, the mud-brick walls enclosing the site as a fortress, and the metal-glazed doors that stood the test of time past the retouch. For centuries, the portals at the main south entrance was the starting point for pilgrim caravans en route to the holy city of Mecca. The Zuweila comes from a North African Berber tribe that settled in the old southern quarter of Egypt.
Nearly a millennium later, moisture, air pollution, traffic, activities in the vicinity wore away the historic building. Urban population and growth diminished its former glory. Gas emissions, vibrations from the busy city and groundwater destabilized foundations. Before long, came the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with US$450,000 in contribution for repairs and restoration.
The American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) was commissioned to execute the restoration and protection plans of the monument, in tandem with the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities under Dr. Zahi Hawass. Egyptian expert labor started on the site in 1998. On September 14, 2003, the project was finally completed with the main access to the tower re-opened. Roof terraces were repaired and waterproofed from the rain. The entire structure was cleaned of accumulated dirt and pollutants.
The major facelift also re-bricked the sabil or water fountain on the street directly across the Bab. Enclosed in an ornate structure, the cistern-system of underground hydro-source was a significant part of people’s daily lives, according to the USAID official in-charge of the project. Recently finished was the restoration of the Sabil Mohamed Ali fountain built in 1820 by an Ottoman architect in honor of the beloved monarch (circa 1805-1840). About 100 meters from the Bab, this sabil is gilded with pure metal embroidery on the surface while painted with ornate illustrations along the circumference. It is expected to open this year before Ramadan.
To tourists, the area is truly central. Another 300 meters from the Bab Zuweila is the Islamic Museum of Cairo famous for the most detailed original Islamic architecture the region has ever produced. While in the immediate neighborhood, situated are the world-renowned Citadel and the Aga Khan Foundation’s million-dollar tourist project set to open in the coming year.
In the hope that US travelers will tour the region and explore the site that bears the fruits of labor of heritage preservation, the USAID mobilized to restore antiquities in Islamic Cairo, Coptic Cairo, at the same time Pharaonic sites such as in Luxor/Karnak, Alexandria and the Red Sea. The USAID official (name withheld upon request) said that they needed to step in before vital antiquities in Egypt could be forever lost. He said they also took in their care the Greek Orthodox Church of Mar Guirguis, the Abu Serga Church which according to Coptic tradition was where Jesus, Mary and Joseph took refuge after fleeing from Herod, the synagogue in Old Cairo (dating back to the 11th century) where documents found 100 years ago chronicle numerous transactional life stories and insights on the Jewish community in previous times.
In about a year from now, Coptic Cairo will be fully operational as public exhibit. Meanwhile, the makeover benefits grass-root communities with 140,000 switch systems improved. In a nearby area, three renovated places of worship – the Abu Serga, the Hanging Church and the Mosque Amra Ibn Al As – will together feature a site capturing religions without borders. The Egyptian National Museum has also been fitted by the USAID with the basement laboratory to stabilize the monuments the antiquities department delivers in a more than constant stream.
Another mammoth program in the works will drain ground water from the Luxor and Karnak Temples. If salt water is not removed from the base of Luxor and Karnak, both sites risk collapse in less than a decade. USAID’s US$6.4 million fund is augmented in this endeavor by the Swedish International Development Agency’s pledge worth US$618,000.
Restoration of ancient facilities is tantamount to tourism. The USAID spokesman said that as they are a development agency, they have seen Egypt demonstrate great efforts in increasing visitor numbers through promoting and preserving our forefathers’ legacy. | 
