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Cairo is Egypt’s capital city, and with over 16 million inhabitants, it ranks as one of the largest cities in Africa. This city of contradictions will enthrall you with its ageless charm. The ancient and the modern co-exist in surprising harmony, and the hospitality and friendliness of its people will set you at ease. Historic Cairo includes the wonders of the pharoahs, as well as a religious heritage embodied in the numerous jewish, coptic and islamic monuments that abound.
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 Wakalat El-Ghouri |
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A Cairo market not to be missed is the Wakalat El-Ghouri built in 1504 A.D. by Sultan Qunsuwah Al Ghouri during the Mamaluke period. It was originally designed as an inn for accommodating traders coming from all parts of the world.
Wakalat El-Ghouri was taken as the seat of the Directorate of Arts Centers in 1992 and has become an Egyptian Arts Center consisting of a permanent exhibitions, where the products of its crafts schools including engraving on copper, canvas embroidery, inlaid glass, folk jewelry, popular costume, marble work, mosaics, wood- engraving, traditional (blown) glasswork, Arabic calligraphy, head scarf decoration, book binding, and leatherwork are displayed
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Islamic Cairo & El Moez Le Din Allah Street |
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In 969 AD, the Fatimids built a new capital for Egypt and the new city became Egypt's capital ever since. In 988 AD, El Azhar was erected and gained through ages, importance and effectiveness. Walls and gates that witnessed many important events throughout history surrounded Cairo then.
El Fustat, first capital built by the Arabs after Amr Ibn Elass conquest in 642, lie north Cairo, and his mosque still standing in the area is a living evidence of that period when a new history had started for Egypt. New capitals followed El Askar 751AD northeast the previous city and El Katae 870 AD where Ibn Touloun built his famous mosque still lying intact in the area over mount Yaskor.
Gawhar El Sequelly built Cairo and surrounded the city with mudbrick walls starting from Bab El Khalk square to the south to join Mokattam hills through Bab Zweila and Bawabet El Metwalli. The western side of the wall starts from Bab El Shaereya Square to Bab El Fettouh and Bab El Nasr. The city was meant to be a residential quarter for El Moez Le Din Allah, the Fatimid Caliph who moved with his family from El Maghreb to Egypt.
Cairo developed, grew and connected with the three previous capitals thus gaining a cultural importance specially after the construction of El Azhar that served not only religious purposes but included social and political domains. Historical Cairo is a long path that started with the Fatimid and through Salah El Din, The Mamelouks and the Ottoman without neglecting Mohamed Aly with his great achievements, reached her modern appearance.
Souk, wekala, hamam, khan, hotel, palace, mosque, khankah, college, citadel and fort are flourishing historical Cairo. El Moez Le Din Allah Street is an eloquent witness for historical Cairo with the various monuments spread along both sides of the street
Located near Bab El Fetouh and Bab El Nasr, the northern side of the city, in El Darb El Asfar, the most Ancient quarter of Cairo , Bayt El Sehaymi is 350 years old.
Islamic monuments & mosques are on each side of El Moez Street , a one day tour along the street you will be able to visit Barqouq mosque & School in Nahassen, El Aqmar Mosque, the Mosque of el Saleh Talae, The Blue Mosque, the Dome, Hospital & School of Qalawoon etc…
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Sound and Light Shows in Cairo |
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Egypt's first Sound and Light Show displayed at the Giza Pyramids was inaugurated in April of 1961. With the narrative voice of the late Richard Burton, magnificent sound and lighting effects, the show begins with the narrative of the Sphinx, who has been the guardian of the city of the dead for five thousand years. Overseeing the building of the three pyramids, the Sphinx reflects on the historical contributions of Thutmosis IV, Akhnaten, Nefertiti and Tutankhamon. The show is presented in English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Arabic, Italian and Russian
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Bait as-Suhaymi |
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Bait as-Suhaymi is one of Cairo's finest traditional Islamic houses constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries. Although is some disarray, the house is an outstanding example of traditional Islamic building and retains an atmosphere of moneyed mercantile sophistication. It is located at 19 Sharia Darb Al-Asfar in the heart of the Mousky. |
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Bait Gamalud'din |
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Bait Gamalud'din is located at 6 Sharia Khushqadam and is a fine restoration of the 16th century merchant's villa with exquisite example of mushribiyya and stained glass work. Open daily from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm.
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