🏺 The Sultan who tried to tear down the Pyramids

In the late 12th century, the Egyptian Sultan Al-Aziz Uthman, the son of Saladin, ordered the demolition of Egypt’s ancient pyramids.

The plan began with the Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of the three at Giza. Workers struggled for months, managing only to dislodge a few stones before giving up.

His attempt, recorded by medieval historian al-Maqrizi, was said to be driven by a desire to erase Egypt’s “pagan” past. But the sheer size and strength of the monuments made the task impossible.

By the end, Al-Aziz abandoned the effort, leaving the pyramids scarred but standing. Visitors today can even see the place in the pyramid where a few blocks were removed.