28 Dec. 2000 - 3 Jan. 2001
Issue No.514
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 28 Dec. 2000 - 3 Jan. 2001 Issue No.514 |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
Extending Citadel access
Within the framework of a Ministry of Culture plan to develop and safeguard archaeological sites of special historical importance, Farouk Hosni, Minister of Culture, marked on Sunday the completion of two projects at the Salah El-Din El-Ayyubi Citadel. The first was the inauguration of the Yakan Pasha gate, built in 1785 by the Ottoman governor Mohamed Yakan Pasha, which had been closed to the public for more than 100 years. The second was the operation of a new high-tech security system, costing LE6.7 million, similar to the one installed two years ago at the Egyptian Museum.
"The reopening of this historical gate overlooking Salah Salem Street is an additional facility provided to the public by the Ministry of Culture to augment the number of entrance and exit gates, thus reducing the intensity of the crowds, particularly on feast days," Salah Shaquir, director-general of the Citadel area, said. According to him, the recent restoration of the gate did not only include the renovation of the wooden gate, but also the gateway itself. An access road was also paved, as well as a parking area, and sun-shades and other conveniences provided for visitors.
The security system includes110 mobile and fixed cameras linked to a closed circuit television, keeping the Citadel's museums, palaces, administrative rooms, corridors, garden, open court and surrounding streets under close surveillance at all times. The cameras are equipped to video-tape any movement in or out of the Citadel and its museums around the clock, and are operated by guards in a control room where 32 monitors show every inch of the Citadel. These are also connected to the offices of the chief guard and the general-director of the Citadel.
A movement alarm system is also in place, using electronic sensors activated by infra-red and microwave machines, as well as sensors that sound the alarm if a thief tries to break the glass of a museum showcase.
"The entrances and exits of the Citadel are controlled by electronic security gates that check out both visitors and administrative personnel," Gaballa Ali Gaballa, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said. He said the gates are equipped with X-Rays machines which automatically examine the bags of everyone who enters, and could locate any hidden weapons or tools.
Three electronic ticket machines, similar to those used in Metro stations, are also in place at the Citadel's entrance and exit points.
"These can count, minute by minute, the number of visitors moving in and out of the compound," Hosni said. The machines also allow security personnel accurately to control the number of visitors at all times.
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