Egypt Begins Restoring Magra 'El-Oyoun' Fence

Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities began on Thursday restoring Magra 'El-Oyoun' Fence and the development of the surrounding area.

Dr. Jamal Mustafa, head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Department in the ministry, inspected the archaeological area to determine the procedures of the restoration work.

Mustafa explained that the renovation started at the site of the water outlet building located in Fom El Khalig overlooking the Nile River and the maintenance of the water wheels located at the top of the building.

“This building was allocated to raise the water from the well which is connected to the Nile River then to the collecting basin of the water channels extended from Magra El-Oyoun Fence to Al Sayeda Aesha Square," Mostafa added. "The channels raise the water to the storage tanks inside Salah El-Din Citadel through the transporting wheels of water.”

He pointed out that the maintenance work was carried out by a number of technicians from the institute of Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Department in the Ministry of Antiquities.

“The encroachments on the fence and the archaeological site are being removed in coordination with all the ministry`s concerned bodies and Cairo districts,” said Mostafa.

Noteworthy, 'Fom El Khalig Fence', known as Kanater (barrages), was established by Al-Malik al-Nasir Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi; Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qala'un renewed it in 1712 AH; Al-Ashraf Qansuh Al-Ghuri built water wheels near Al Sayeda Aesha Mosque in 1312 AD.

Nothing remains from the barrages established by Salah al-Din, except few remnants at the beginning of the fence in Salah El-Din Citadel in front of Al Sayeda Aesha Mosque.

Sultan Qala'un reconstructed the building in two phases; during then he established 4 water wheels on the Nile River. The wheels raise the water from a small gulf next to a wall, known today as Establ Antar towards Athar Al Nabi Mosque.

The barrages architecture consisted of huge fence extended from Fom El Khalig Fence to Al Sayeda Aesha Square and Salah El-Din Citadel. It is made from engraved stone.

Sultan Qala'un established another water outlet of 6 wheels near Sayeda Nafisa Mosque.

Contributed By Ahmad El-Assasy