September 15, 2003	Monday	Rajab 17, 1424

CAIRO, Sept 14: Egypt on Sunday celebrated the completion of the US-aided restoration of Bab Zuweila, the centuries-old gate to walled Islamic Cairo, whose four-ton doors now open and close for the first time in 500 years.

Egyptian Culture Minister Faruq Hosni and US ambassador David Welch led ceremonies at Bab Zuweila, the southern gateway of the walled city which was built in 1092.

“Easily identified by its famous twin minarets, the landmark is one of the finest extant examples of fortified architecture predating the Crusades,” the US embassy said in a statement. The gateway was restored over five years by an Egyptian-American team with 2.8 million pounds ($450,000) donated by Washington, the embassy said.

“The team, using original methods and materials, removed, cleaned, treated and re-hung the massive wooden doors,” the embassy statement said.

“During their work, they discovered the original bronze bearings of the door leaves. Today the main access of the tower is a once-hidden entrance, which was revealed during the project,” it said.

Bab-ZuweIla, which along with Bab al-Nasr and Bab al-Futuh represent the three gateways to Fatimid Cairo, became a site of commerce, religious devotion, processions, celebration and justice, the embassy said.—AFP