Cairo
International organizations
Cairo is also base on many regional and international organizations such as the League of Arab States and the regional offices of WHO, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as well as the of the African Basketball Federation. Cairo celebrates its national day on July 6 of every year, the day that the leader of the city, Jawhar al-Saqli, placed the foundation stone of the city in 969, Cairo is now reaching more than 1044 years old.
The architect side of the city
The western side of Cairo was designed by the Khedive Ismail in the middle of the 19th century according to the Paris city model with its wide neighborhoods, parks and open areas, but the oldest eastern section of the city in full of historical monuments and old streets. The main spoken language is Arabic, otherwise, every city has its own accent.
Cairo transportation
Cairo streets and areas are connected with transportation network of bridges , public buses, taxies and underground lines which service million of citizens everyday, Cairo is also linked to others cities of the country by railway stations and domestic flights.
The international airport of Cairo
The main flight gate to Egypt is Cairo international airport was first constructed in 1942 and reformed in 1963, it is considered the second largest airport in Africa in terms of flights reservations after keb town airport in South Africa, in addition, the airport is connected to more than 91 airports around the world and used by 60 flight companies with the capacity of 22 million passengers annually.
The new river taxi and the train station
Another clever transportation project is under development recently which is river taxi, it saves time and more friendly to the environment as well, in addition, Cairo city has the first train station constructed in Africa and the Middle East ever and the second worldwide after the united kingdom station was built by khedive Ismail in the 19th century and also known as Ramses station or the iron gate station.
Cairo history
Cairo City has witnessed various cultures and civilizations through ages and became an open museum featuring pharaonic, greek, roman, Coptic and Islamic monuments. The history of the city dates back to the creation of Pharaonic Heliopolis( Ain Shams currently) which is one of the oldest cities in the ancient world.
Pharaonic dynasty era
Cairo was known as uon when king mina united the lower and upper of Egypt to become one country ,since the begging of the pharaohs dynasty ruling era the city gained its unique position and was the religious capital while menf was the political and administrative capital after the unit .
when the last queen of Egypt fell down (Cleopatra) and the roman invaded Egypt, Alexandria became the capital of the country until Amr Bin Al-aas came and Cairo retook its position as Egypt's capital .
The Islamic era
Cairo in its current form dates back to the Islamic conquest of Egypt by Amr ibn al-Aas in 641. During the Fatimid ,the leader Jawhar al-Saqali began to build the new capital of the Fatimid state by order of the Fatimid Caliph Mu'izz Ladinullah in 969 and called it "Cairo". Throughout the ages, Cairo has been known as the City of the Thousand Minarets, Egypt Al Mahrousa and Cairo El Moez. During the Islamic era, Cairo witnessed the finest architecture in the construction of castles, forts, fences, schools and mosques, giving it a historical profile to its old neighborhoods until our day.
Tourism of Cairo City
Cairo is a first-class touristic city where there are many attractions that any visitor wants to discover. There are many archaeological sites dating back to the Pharaonic era, the ancient city walls dating back to the Islamic era, Christian and Jewish archaeological sites . The city also hosts famous shopping areas, mosques, churches, historic gates, ancient buildings of various ages, cultural and artistic places, theaters with a large number of hotels and accommodation.
Culture tourism
Cairo was the source of inspiration for many writers and authors, the beacon of knowledge spreading the light all over the surrounding area. It houses many cultural museums each reflects the cultural background of the city, don’t forget to check the military museum, cairo Museum, the Islamic art museum and the Egyptian art museum while touring in Egypt.
Religious tourism
Cairo combine between the three divine religions, you can find a neighborhood with a mosque and a church at the corner and that would be absolutely normal, visit the Coptic Museum and the churches from the early Christian era such as the hanging church of virgin marry, enjoy the historical profile of the Islamic gates, citadel of Salah Al-din and mosques such as Mohamed Ali mosque with an amazing Islamic architect.
Pharaonic history tourism
When yout Travel Egypt Tour you must pass by the city to visit the pyramids, tombs and the valleys, it wouldn't be a full tour without the Three Pyramids,Spinx and the valley temple, where Egyptologist found the mummy of king khafre .at the south of Cairo you'll find Memphis the old capital of Egypt kingdom
Khan El Khalili the oldest market in Egypt
Khan El Khalili bazaar is the oldest market of the middle east for Cheap Egpytian gifts, this huge Cairo bazaar located in the center of Islamic Cairo, the bazaar attracts foreign tourists and Egyptians alike, housing a lot of mini bazaars and traditional coffee shops, the market inspires many through the ages such as the Egyptian intellectual author Nageeb Mahfouz who wrote some of his famous novels in the street of khan El Khalili.
Khan El Khalili bazaar history
the Fatimid kingdom and the mamluks period
Khan El Khalili dates back to more than 600 years ago and named after its founder the Mamluk prince and well-known merchant (Jerksy al Khalili) during the Mamluky the period in 1400, at the Fatimid kingdom it was a massive necropolis for the Fatimid princes and sultans, but then came their first enemies and competitors the Mamluks who took over Egypt and replaced the royal necropolis with the bazaar. Merchants traveled from all over the world with their goods and centered in the El Khalili market to offer and sell their merchandise. The Arab historian (al maqrezy ) described the bazaar as a huge square-shaped yard with stores, mini bazaars and houses.
Al fishawy coffee shop
Al fishawy coffee shop founded in 1769, one of the oldest coffee shops in the middle east , after having your walk through the halls of the bazaar that covered with black shiny basalt stone you can have a seat in al fishawy to try Arabian coffee and shisha while watching the sunlight sneak through the wooden ceilings and reflects the shine of the jewelry and golden antiques.
The crafts and festivals of khan El Khalili bazaar
The architectural beauty of the bazaar
you have to take a look at the balconies of the old houses decorated by copper designs, the old water basins for the thirsty passengers and passing by merchants, the crafted handmade shops and the wooden ceilings that challenged time and erosions.
El Khan Crafts
The Khan includes traditional crafts, hundreds of workers and artisans who specializing hand made masterpieces such as carpets, crystals, papyrus, gold and silver jewelry,it is also famous for beautiful pharaonic artifacts, handicrafts, various stones,natural herbs and incense oud imported from Saudi Arabia, abrasions made of Stained glass and hookah (Arabic shisha).The Khan has a place dedicated to leather and copper products and historical accessories such as swords, copper helmets and belts, in addition to the pharaonic papyrus with hieroglyphic signs and paints that tells the story of Isis and Osiris.
Khan El Khaili festival
The carnival of Khan El Khalili visitors is a kind of a celebration where you can try the Bedouin customs and take some photos, women of all nationalities make sure to buy Ein Horus necklace, The necklace is made of various materials was believed hat the eye of Horus protect its owner from envy and harm and the customer has only to determine his demand according to His financial means.
Cairo Museum
Egyptian Museum Collections
the museum contains more than (120,000_150,000) antiques among them the pharaoh's collections and treasures found in the king's graves. If you are interested in discover the old Egyptian's lifestyle all you have to do is visiting the Egyptian museum which most of our Egypt travel packages provide. Travel by time to expose pharaoh's secrets From the simple tools used for cooking, farming and daily activities to the shiny golden royal artifacts, all will be found in the halls of the public museum. The museum involves pieces and items from prehistoric eras even before writing was discovered, the collection of Tutankhamun and Queen Nefertiti with all of her jewelry, golden bracelets and her famous head statue.
The Egyptian museum interior design
The museum adopts a new style for displaying a wide range of artifacts. the chambers and antiques were arranged according to their subjects, the large statuses were settled on the ground floor and the funeral pieces were also arranged to the historical sequences on the upper floor. The museum is full of monuments and objects .you will be amazed by the interior design of the museum, the entrances of the halls more similar to the temples in its shape and you will be looking in every direction to catch all the details.
The library and the mummies hall
There is the library inside was founded since the opening of the Egyptian museum, currently consists of two floors, two reading halls and a publications store, it has more than 50,000 books all about the ancient cultures of Greek, Roman and Egyptians and also has one of the rarest collections of maps and portrays. Upstairs you will find the mummies hall which displays the mummies from the valley of kings and queens, ramsses |, seti ||, the young king tutankhamun found with all of his funeral jewelry, treasures and the golden mask that will capture your senses and many others
It is a worthy experience will make you wonder about Egyptian's abilities for keeping their dead bodies in its form for many centuries. it took two years to complete the first and second hall built in the shape of the old king's graves with very faded glim lighting, the rooms are on the upper floor and one of them has 11 corp recently discovered. catch your breath because it's going to get scary!
Coptic Museum
The History Of The Coptic Museum
it was said that the museum even was established in the days of Persians, after then the roman emperors came up with some additions and adjustments but the official founding was in 1910 by Marcus Simaika basha to fill the gap of the neglected Coptic history and it was located in Cairo City behind the famous Romanian castle Babylon .in 1931 the Coptic museum removed to the Egyptian government to be under .the responsibility of the department of antiques within the Egyptian ministry of culture
Salah Aldin Citadel
The purpose of the citadel
The fatimmid dynasty ruled over Egypt from the 8th century to 12th century, and when Salah El din decided to take over Egypt, he did so easily without any resistance from the fatimmid or any defense from Egypt. Salah El din realized back then that Egypt borders is unprotected and was inspired by the Syrian citadel structure and how fortified and protective they were. The great leader commanded to build the citadel on a high hill called Mokattam that overlooks on the entire city of Cairo and has such a strategic position. The citadel witnessed so many important events and defended Egypt in a lot of situations while the crusaders were carrying a military campaign against the Middle East. After the Ayyubid period is done and followed by the Mamluks dynasty, the sultan of the Ottoman Empire send Mohammed Ali to take over Egypt under his leadership, and that’s when the famous political event known as "the massacre of the citadel" took place. Mohammed Ali invited all the Mamluks and murdered them in the Al jawhara palace inside the citadel. The citadel also witnessed the French campaign by Bonaparte on Egypt in 1798.
History of Salah El Din citadel
The citadel wasn’t unfinished until 1182 and was fully completed during the period of Malek Al Kamel the king after Salah El Din. Even though the contraction begun in 1176, it took about 6 years to be done. Salah commanded he soldiers to help within the constructions and some of the crusaders capturers were working. Moreover, king Salah ordered to dug a water well in case if the citadel was ever came under seige. He had a vision of the fortress to be the ultimate definition of protection, defending and retreating, and indeed, the citadel was viewed as a marvelous military structure after completion. Some said that Salah tore down some pyramids in Giza to take its stones and construct the citadel.
Mokattam gate
There are several gates in the citadel, Mokattam gate, the Iron Gate and the middle gate. Mokattam gate was built during the Ottoman Empire from very hard rocks near by the watching tower of Mokattam hill in 1785.
The iron gate
The iron gate was the largest and the main gate of the citadel, it was constructed by Mohammed Ali in 1822. He also paved a street connecting between the gate and Cairo city known recently as Bab Al Hadeed street or the iron street. The iron gate has two facades, the northern façade that overlooks at the iron street with some really exotic beautiful design, and the old building façade which is 18 m high.
The middle gate
the middle gate simply located between the Mokattam gate and the iron gate, was renovated by Mohammed Ali in 1826.
Mohamed Ali Mosque
The ottoman emperor sent Mohammed Ali pasha to rule Egypt under his name. he took the citadel as governing center and actually lived there for a while. Mohammed Ali pasha ordered his architect Yusuf Bushnak to build him a mosque carries out his name and commemorate him in 1830.
El Nasser Mohammed mosque
it was the royal mosque of the citadel were the sultans of Egypt prayed their Friday prayers and was built in 1318.
Sulaiman pasha mosque
The mosque is an example for the ottoman architectural style, built in 1528.
Al Jawhara palace museum
It was commissioned by Mohammed Ali pasha in 1814. The palace is a masterpiece of Art designed by architects and artists from different countries. The palace contains unique Antiques was given to the pasha such as 1000 kg chandelier hanged in the audience hall of the palace.
Military museum
The museum was first founded in 1937, and took place in the ministry of war located in down town Cairo. The museum was later moved to the citadel after many renovations. The Egyptian national military museum displays many objects, included the weapons were used in war events of Suez war, Arab-Israel war and even some pharaonic military items.
Carriage museum
The national museum of carriages displays wonderful collection of royal carriages date back the khedive Ismail reign until king Farouk. It was first opened in 1983 and was renovated in 2013, recently located in the citadel front of Mohamed Ali mosque.
Cairo Islamic Museum
The museum of Islamic art
The idea of establishing a museum that gather all the pieces with oriental art and Islamic purpose came in the time of khedive Ismail, but it was actually done in the reign of his son, khedive Tewfik. It was situated in an area was called (bab al khalk) in Cairo 1903. They wanted to cover all branches of Islamic art and make them under one roof to be reached by national and international visitors and admire the Islamic prosperity. So, in 1880, Frantz Pasha started by gathering the collection of Al Hakim mosque which was built in 989 A.D during the Fatimid period and displayed it in a small backyard building called (house of Arab antiques). This small building was renovated and expanded to 23 halls and the name was changed to (museum of Islamic art) in 1951. Now, The museum houses about 100,000 items reflecting the glorious of Islamic Civilization and displays 45,000 of them collected around the world from Iran, china, India all along to Arab peninsula, North Africa and Egypt. The foundation of this museum aimed to interpret Islamic antiques and encourage scientific collaboration to spread the Islamic contribution in heritage Art and science. The museum mission is also to develop educational lectures discussing the heritage world of Islam and tolerance among civilizations and other religions.
The museum collection
The museum of Islamic art covers wide range of all specialized branches of Islamic art from different phases of history which made the museum a beacon for Islamic knowledge worldwide and a center for researchers, historians and tourists who are interested to delve into heritage world legacy. The collections were classified according to the materials and chronological sequence. There are metals, iron, ivory, jewelries, wood, glass, manuscript, ceramic pieces, carpets and textile collections. The museum also have guiding panels which tell the story of Every Islamic Caliphates (empires) Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid, Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman. One of the collections that much worth visiting is the book collection in the library. It houses 30,000 rare and rich books about variety topics of Art, science, Architecture, antiquities and Islamic history. Perhaps, the most captivating piece in the museum is the 15th century fountain made of ceramic in Mamluk period showing its vibrant colors and epic design.
