An Egyptian mission from the Ministry of Antiquities is set to start excavation inside Bir Youssef (Youssef's Well) in Cairo's Citadel of Salah El-Din to reveal any possible secrets it could hold, Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, told Ahram Online.

"After examining the well, I believe that excavation could reveal its mystery," Waziri said, adding that the well will be restored and opened for the public for the first time.

The well was constructed in the citadel under the order of the first sultan and Egypt and Syria Salah El-Din Al-Ayoubi (1137 – 1174) to store water during military sieges.

The well is located at the southern side of Qalawoun Mosque inside the citadel, and can be reached through a passage that leads to a domed hall with a spiral staircase engraved in rock. The well consists of three levels and holds two water wheels and a spiral staircase.

the well