TRAVEL CAIRO
GENERAL INFORMATION-Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa, the name means "the victorious city". It is located on both banks of the River Nile near the head of the river's delta in northern Egypt and has been settled for more than 6000 years, serving as the capital of numerous Egyptian civilizations. Cairo is known locally as "Misr", the Arabic name for Egypt. Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is most famous for its pyramids and other ancient’s attractions such as its many temples and etc. The city is also home to countless mosques; some quite new, and some which are hundreds of years old. In fact, there are so many mosques in Cairo, and refer to the city as the City of Thousand Minarets.
The city is marked by the traditions and influences of the East and the West, the ancient and the modern. As the region's principal commercial, administrative, and tourist centre, Cairo contains many cultural institutions, business establishments, governmental offices, universities, and hotels, which together create a dense pattern of constant activity. The centre of downtown Cairo is Tahrir Square, located on the east bank. A hub of tourist activity, the vast and open square contains numerous attractions, including the Egyptian Museum, the Arab League headquarters, and the modern Umar Makram Mosque. Extending from north to south along the east bank of the Nile is the Corniche, Cairo's main thoroughfare. Located nearby is the narrow strip of land known as Garden City, one of the city's newer residential areas. In the centre of the city is the river island of Zamalek (also called Jezerah, meaning "the Island"), which contains the upscale residential and commercial neighbourhood also known as Zamalek, the Cairo Opera House (founded in 1869), and the Cairo Tower (1961). Three bridges link the island with both banks of the river. The island of Al-Rodah, located to the south, is linked to the mainland by two additional bridges, while another bridge to the north carries road and rail traffic across the Nile.
The city is marked by the traditions and influences of the East and the West, the ancient and the modern. As the region's principal commercial, administrative, and tourist centre, Cairo contains many cultural institutions, business establishments, governmental offices, universities, and hotels, which together create a dense pattern of constant activity. The centre of downtown Cairo is Tahrir Square, located on the east bank. A hub of tourist activity, the vast and open square contains numerous attractions, including the Egyptian Museum, the Arab League headquarters, and the modern Umar Makram Mosque. Extending from north to south along the east bank of the Nile is the Corniche, Cairo's main thoroughfare. Located nearby is the narrow strip of land known as Garden City, one of the city's newer residential areas. In the centre of the city is the river island of Zamalek (also called Jezerah, meaning "the Island"), which contains the upscale residential and commercial neighbourhood also known as Zamalek, the Cairo Opera House (founded in 1869), and the Cairo Tower (1961). Three bridges link the island with both banks of the river. The island of Al-Rodah, located to the south, is linked to the mainland by two additional bridges, while another bridge to the north carries road and rail traffic across the Nile.
HISTORY-It has long been settled and in the 4th century, Romans built a fortress down on the banks of the river called Babylon. In 641AD, Muslims took control of the area and moved its capital from Alexandria to the city of Cairo. At this time it was called Fustat and the region became a centre of Islam. In 750AD though the capital was moved slightly north of Fustat but by the 9th century, it was moved back. After sometime a new capitol was built was called Al-Qahira, which translates to Cairo. Shortly after its construction, Cairo was to become the centre of education for the area.
GEOGRAPHY- Cairo is located in the northern part of Egypt about 100 miles (165 km) from the Mediterranean Sea. It is also about 75 miles (120 km) from the Suez Canal. The terminology "Upper" and "Lower" derives from the flow of the Nile from the highlands of East Africa northwards to the Mediterranean Sea. South Egypt known as Upper Egypt and North Egypt as Lower Egypt.
AREA- City=528Km2
POPULATION- City=1,02,30,000 Urban=1,83,00,000
CO-ORDINATES-30°3′N 31°14′E
TIME ZONE- UTC+2
CLIMATE-
TEM JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Av H 19 20 23 28 32 34 35 34 33 30 25 21
Av L 9 10 12 15 18 20 22 22 21 17 14 10
POPULATION- City=1,02,30,000 Urban=1,83,00,000
CO-ORDINATES-30°3′N 31°14′E
TIME ZONE- UTC+2
CLIMATE-
TEM JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Av H 19 20 23 28 32 34 35 34 33 30 25 21
Av L 9 10 12 15 18 20 22 22 21 17 14 10
AIRPORT-Cairo International Airport (IATA: CAI) is the international airport of Cairo and the busiest in Egypt and serves as the primary hub for Egypt Air and Egypt Air Express. The airport is located to the northeast of the city around 15 kilometres (9.3 mile) from the business area of the city.
NILE RIVER-Nile River, the father of African rivers and the longest river in the world. It rises south of the Equator and flows northward through north eastern Africa to drain into the Mediterranean Sea. It has a length of about 4,132 miles (6,650 kilometres). Although it is generally associated with Egypt, only 22% of the Nile’s course runs through Egypt. Its basin includes parts of Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Sudan, and the cultivated part of Egypt.
The Nile River has huge significance in regards to Ancient Egypt. Most of Ancient Egypt’s historical sites are located along the banks of the Nile River including cities such as Luxor and Cairo. The River Nile flooded every year between June and September. The river’s mouth is around 160 kilometres (100 miles) in length and spreads out over 240 kilometres (149 miles) of coastline. It is rich in agriculture and has been farmed for thousands of years.
In Egypt, the River Nile creates a fertile green valley across the desert. It was by the banks of the river that one of the oldest civilizations in the world began. The ancient Egyptians lived and farmed along the Nile, using the soil to produce food for themselves and their animals. When the floods went down it left thick rich mud (black silt) which was excellent soil to plant seeds in after it had been ploughed. The ancient Egyptians could grow crops only in the mud left behind when the Nile flooded. So they all had fields all along the River Nile. Reeds, called papyrus, grew alongside the Nile. The Egyptians made paper and boats from the reeds. They used spears and nets to catch fish. They would also use the nets to catch birds that flew close to the surface of the water.
The Nile river originates in Burundi, south of the equator. Much of Lake Victoria is surrounded by mountains with streams tumbling down into the lake. The largest tributary of Lake Victoria is the Kagera River. The Kagera and its tributary the Ruvubu, with its headwaters in Burundi, is now considered to be the true source of the Nile. The River Nile is formed from the White Nile, which originates at Lake Victoria and the Blue Nile, which originates at Lake Tana in Ethiopia. Melting snow and heavy summer rain in the Ethiopian Mountains sent a torrent of water causing the banks of the River Nile in Egypt to overflow on the flat desert land. These rivers meet in Sudan and then go on their long journey northwards towards the sea. The White Nile is a lot bigger than the Blue Nile, but because of water losses along the way, it only contributes about 15% to the flow of the combined Nile.
The Nile River has huge significance in regards to Ancient Egypt. Most of Ancient Egypt’s historical sites are located along the banks of the Nile River including cities such as Luxor and Cairo. The River Nile flooded every year between June and September. The river’s mouth is around 160 kilometres (100 miles) in length and spreads out over 240 kilometres (149 miles) of coastline. It is rich in agriculture and has been farmed for thousands of years.
In Egypt, the River Nile creates a fertile green valley across the desert. It was by the banks of the river that one of the oldest civilizations in the world began. The ancient Egyptians lived and farmed along the Nile, using the soil to produce food for themselves and their animals. When the floods went down it left thick rich mud (black silt) which was excellent soil to plant seeds in after it had been ploughed. The ancient Egyptians could grow crops only in the mud left behind when the Nile flooded. So they all had fields all along the River Nile. Reeds, called papyrus, grew alongside the Nile. The Egyptians made paper and boats from the reeds. They used spears and nets to catch fish. They would also use the nets to catch birds that flew close to the surface of the water.
The Nile river originates in Burundi, south of the equator. Much of Lake Victoria is surrounded by mountains with streams tumbling down into the lake. The largest tributary of Lake Victoria is the Kagera River. The Kagera and its tributary the Ruvubu, with its headwaters in Burundi, is now considered to be the true source of the Nile. The River Nile is formed from the White Nile, which originates at Lake Victoria and the Blue Nile, which originates at Lake Tana in Ethiopia. Melting snow and heavy summer rain in the Ethiopian Mountains sent a torrent of water causing the banks of the River Nile in Egypt to overflow on the flat desert land. These rivers meet in Sudan and then go on their long journey northwards towards the sea. The White Nile is a lot bigger than the Blue Nile, but because of water losses along the way, it only contributes about 15% to the flow of the combined Nile.
BURIAL PRACTICES- The Egyptians believed in a soul that lived on after death, called a Ka ; they believed that providing for the needs of the ancestors, it assured safety and prosperity for the living, they believed that the afterlife was very similar to this present life, and so they ensured that their possessions were buried with them. These beliefs led to elaborate burial practices, the building of tombs by the rich and powerful, and of course the mummification process. In the earliest times, the Egyptians buried their dead directly in the ground. Since Egypt's climate was, very arid, a body may have been very well preserved if it was buried in a particularly sandy or dry spot. Eventually, kings or rich individuals longed for something better. For those who could afford them, the Egyptians built simple mud-brick tombs called mastabas. Mastaba is a modern Arabic word that means bench, as these tombs do look a bit like benches.
MUMUUIFICATION-The Egyptians devloped a procedure known as "mummification," which was the process of drying out and preparing a body to ensure preservation. The practice of artificial mummification did not appear fully developed overnight. Early mummification yielded mummies that were simply a body, possible dried in the sun or with salt, wrapped in linen. These wrappings were sometimes covered in plaster that had been moulded to look like the person. Around the 4th dynasty, or about the time of the pyramids, embalmers began to remove the internal organs. It took many years of trial and error before the process reached its quality peak in the New Kingdom. Mummification was so expensive that only the pharaoh, royal family, and very wealthy people could afford to be preserved in this fashion. For the royals and the wealthy, mummification was probably not the most expensive part of their preparation for the afterlife. Mastabas soon grew to pyramids which gave way to rock cut tombs. Inside of these houses of eternity the ancient Egyptians packed any and all things that they believed could possibly be useful to them in the afterlife
PHAROHS-In ancient Egypt, the king was considered a living god and the protector of the people, and belived his contact with the gods. It was the king's job to maintain (ma'at in the world) a perfect state of balance that meant all was well. Egypt's history is broken into dynasties: times when a single family rules the nation. When there is no direct heir and a new king comes from a different family, there is a dynasty shift. For example, Horemheb, last king of the 18th Dynasty, had no son, so he adopted a young man: Ramses I, first king of the 19th Dynasty. The price people paid for having a king to take care of ma'at was paid in taxes. Taxes were taken out of crops or other products people produced. The king ruled from the political capital of Memphis (near Giza), in Lower Egypt, but spent a great deal of time in the Upper Egyptian city of Thebes ( now Luxor), which was the religious capital. The king could not rule alone and had a large government to support him. He had advisors, regional lords and localized rulers, town mayors and village councils.
EGYPTIAN GODS -There were over 2,000 names of gods in Ancient Egypt. Some images of Ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses show them with a human body and the head of a bird or an animal. Animals were chosen to represent the powers of the god.
001-Amun-Amun was important throughout the history of ancient Egypt. However, when Amun was combined with the sun god Ra he was even more powerful. He was then called Amun-Ra At the height of Egyptian civilisation he was called the 'King of the Gods'. Amun’s name means “Hidden One, Mysterious of Form,” Karnak was Amun’s chief temple.
Look-Man with a ram-head, A ram in the hand and wearing an ostrich plumed hat.
002-Anubis-Protector of the Dead. Anubis was the god who helped to embalm Osiris after he was killed by Seth. Thus, Anubis was the god who watched over the process of mummifying people when they died. Priests often wore a mask of Anubis during mummification ceremonies. Anubis was the god of embalming and the dead.
Look-Man with a jackal head.
003-Bastet-Bastet was one of the daughters of the sun god, Ra. A great temple was built in her honour at Bubastis in the Delta. The cat was a symbol of Bastet. The ancient Egyptians made many statues of cats like this one to honour Bastet. Bastet was usually seen as a gentle protective goddess. However, she sometimes appeared with the head of a lioness to protect the king in battle.
Look-Woman with the head of a cat
004-Osiris-As well as being a god of the dead, Osiris was a god of resurrection and fertility. In fact, the ancient Egyptians believed that Osiris gave them the gift of barley, one of their most important crops. Osiris was the god of the dead, and ruler of the underworld.
Look-A mummified man wearing a white cone-like headdress with feathers
005-Ra-The ancient Egyptians believed that Ra was swallowed every night by the sky goddess Nut, and was reborn every morning. Ra was the sun god. He was the most important god of the ancient Egyptians.
Look-Man with hawk head and headdress with a sun disk.
006-Sobek-Sobek was a crocodile god, depicted as a crocodile on an altar or as a man with a crocodile head wearing a headdress in the form of the sun disk with upright feathers and horns. Sobek’s main cult centers were at Medinet el Fayum and at the temple of Kom Ombo, which he shared with Horus and which still exists today.
001-Amun-Amun was important throughout the history of ancient Egypt. However, when Amun was combined with the sun god Ra he was even more powerful. He was then called Amun-Ra At the height of Egyptian civilisation he was called the 'King of the Gods'. Amun’s name means “Hidden One, Mysterious of Form,” Karnak was Amun’s chief temple.
Look-Man with a ram-head, A ram in the hand and wearing an ostrich plumed hat.
002-Anubis-Protector of the Dead. Anubis was the god who helped to embalm Osiris after he was killed by Seth. Thus, Anubis was the god who watched over the process of mummifying people when they died. Priests often wore a mask of Anubis during mummification ceremonies. Anubis was the god of embalming and the dead.
Look-Man with a jackal head.
003-Bastet-Bastet was one of the daughters of the sun god, Ra. A great temple was built in her honour at Bubastis in the Delta. The cat was a symbol of Bastet. The ancient Egyptians made many statues of cats like this one to honour Bastet. Bastet was usually seen as a gentle protective goddess. However, she sometimes appeared with the head of a lioness to protect the king in battle.
Look-Woman with the head of a cat
004-Osiris-As well as being a god of the dead, Osiris was a god of resurrection and fertility. In fact, the ancient Egyptians believed that Osiris gave them the gift of barley, one of their most important crops. Osiris was the god of the dead, and ruler of the underworld.
Look-A mummified man wearing a white cone-like headdress with feathers
005-Ra-The ancient Egyptians believed that Ra was swallowed every night by the sky goddess Nut, and was reborn every morning. Ra was the sun god. He was the most important god of the ancient Egyptians.
Look-Man with hawk head and headdress with a sun disk.
006-Sobek-Sobek was a crocodile god, depicted as a crocodile on an altar or as a man with a crocodile head wearing a headdress in the form of the sun disk with upright feathers and horns. Sobek’s main cult centers were at Medinet el Fayum and at the temple of Kom Ombo, which he shared with Horus and which still exists today.
ATTRACTIONS & SIGHTS AT CAIRO -
001-PYRAMIDS OF GIZA-The Giza Pyramids are listed as one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Located on the Giza Plateau which served as the necropolis for the royalty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt. The pyramids of Giza sit at the top of a limestone cliff. The site has not been fully excavated, and even now new tombs are recovered. It is located some 9 km (5 miles) from the old town of Giza on the bank of Nile, some 25 km (15 miles) southwest of Cairo city centre. The Giza necropolis contains three pyramid complexes Giza Pyramids & the Sphinx- A Workers Village -an industrial complex and several cemeteries. There are also a number of much smaller “queen pyramids”; village pyramids and causeways. These were built by the 4th Dynasty (Old Kingdom Kings). The Pyramids of Ancient Egypt were built as tombs for Kings (and Queens), and it was the exclusive privilege to have a Pyramid tomb. However, this tradition only applied in the Old and Middle Kingdoms. Most famous of the Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as the Pyramid of Khufu and constructed in 2550BC, the somewhat smaller Pyramid of Khafre constructed in 2520BC, a few hundred meters to the south-west, and the relatively modest-sized Pyramid of Menkaure constructed in 2490BC a few hundred meters further south-west. The Great Sphinx built in 2500BC lies on the east side of the complex. "The people of Ancient Egypt believed that death on Earth was the start of a journey to the next world. The embalmed body of the King was entombed underneath or within the pyramid to protect it and allow his transformation and ascension to the afterlife.
The pyramids were once encased in polished limestone which, according to ancient writers, reflected the light of the sun brilliantly. The limestone was stripped away over the years for use in other building projects, most notably the mosques of Cairo. Of the three major pyramids, however, only Menkaure's is seen today without any of its original limestone casing; Khafre's Pyramid retains its casing stones at its apex while Khufu's has a smaller remainder at its base. The sides of all three of the Giza pyramids were oriented astronomically to be precisely north-south and east-west within a small fraction of a degree. During the First Intermediate Period, the pyramid town of Khufu and the cemetery of Giza were both abandoned and left to decay. During the Middle Kingdom, the pyramids and tombs were plundered, and the causeways and temples were used as quarries by the pharaohs of the 12th Dynasty. Many of the New Kingdom pharaohs protected and revered the ancient monuments of Giza. Since the demise of the ancient Egyptian civilisation, the site has been quarried to aid the construction of Cairo. Most of the limestone cladding of the pyramids ended up adorning the walls of the city. Even so, Giza remains a massive archaeological site.
a-Pyramid Complex Of Khufu (Snefru’s Son)-The Great Pyramid of Khufu is by far the most famous Pyramid in Egypt, the biggest, tallest, and most intact. For a period of 4300 years, the Pyramid was also the tallest building on earth, until the French built the Eiffel Tower in 1889 to take that position. Khufu was the second pharaoh in the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt. He was the son of Snefru and Queen Hetepheres I. Khufu’s pyramid complex consists of a valley temple. The valley temple was connected to a causeway which was largely destroyed when the village was constructed. The causeway led to the Mortuary Temple of Khufu. The king’s pyramid has three smaller queen’s pyramids associated with it and five boat pits. Khufu's pyramid maintains a limited collection of casing stones at its base.
Entrance- The entrance of the Pyramid is located at the northern side, the same as almost every Pyramid in Egypt. On this side there are actually 2 entrances, one is the original, and is 17m (55ft) above ground level, and the other one is a man-made forced entrance located below it. Nowadays visitors, to the site, use Mamoun’s entrance to gain access into the Pyramid, as it is actually considered to be a shortcut. There isn't much to see, except a plain tomb chamber with an empty sarcophagus. Inside the Great Pyramid, there is an extra ticket for this that will cost you 100 LE. They sell only 300 tickets daily, and they are divided among morning and afternoon. They sell 150 at 0800, and then, at exactly 1300, the other 150. (Until the Lincoln Cathedral was built in England in 1311, the Great Pyramid of Giza held the title for the world´s tallest man-made structure. It held the record for an incredible and unparalleled 3871 years.)
Construction-Khufu’s Pyramid is built entirely of limestone, and is considered an architectural masterpiece. It contains around 23,00,000 blocks ranging in weight from 2.5 tons to 15 tons and is built on a square base with sides measuring about 230m (755ft), covering 13 acres. Its four sides face the four cardinal points precisely and it has an angle of 52 degrees. The original height of the Pyramid was 146.5m (488ft), but today it is only 137m (455ft) high, the 9m (33ft) that is missing is due to the theft of the fine quality limestone covering, or casing stones. The accuracy of the pyramid's workmanship is such that the four sides of the base have an average error of only 58 millimetres in length.
Solar Boat- Directly behind the Great Pyramid is the Solar Boat Museum, which displays one of the ceremonial solar barques.
This museum showcases an excavated reconstructed “solar boat,” which was buried with the pharaoh for use on his daily journey with the sun across the sky. It should be noted that entry to the museum is not free, and admission is typically not included in the price of pyramid tours.
b-Khafre's Pyramid Complex( Khuhu’s Son) -Khafre’s pyramid complex consists of a valley temple , a causeway, a mortuary temple and the king’s pyramid. Khafre's pyramid appears larger than the adjacent Khufu Pyramid by virtue of its more elevated location, and the steeper angle of inclination of its construction. Khafre's pyramid retains a prominent display of casing stones at its apex. It is only 136m (446 ft.) tall, with sides of 214.5m (704ft.), a surface area of 11 acres and an angle of 53 degrees. It also has lost some of its original height through the years, once being 143.5m (471ft) tall.
c-Menkaure's Pyramid Complex(Khafre’s Son)- It is smallest of the three Pyramids. This one was only a mere 65.5m (215ft) tall, nowadays 62m (203ft), with sides of only 105m (344ft) and an angle of 51.3 degrees. Menkaure’s pyramid complex consists of a valley temple, a causeway, a mortuary temple, and the king’s pyramid. The valley temple contained several statues of Menkaure.
d-Great Sphinx- The Great Sphinx which has the body of a lion and the head of a man is recognized all over the world. Unlike the Giza Pyramids that were built using hundreds of thousands of carved rock slabs, the Sphinx was carved out of a single sculpted from soft sandstone rock. While the exact age of the Sphinx remains unclear, it is generally believed to have been complete around 2500 BC. It is the biggest monolith statue in the world, and also the world’s oldest monumental statue. The body is 60m (200ft) long and 20m (65ft) tall. Its face is 4m (13ft) wide with eyes measuring 2m (6 ft) high. It faces the rising sun, and was revered so much by the ancients, that they built a temple in front of it.
e-Non Royal Tombs- The skilled workers who live at the site all year round built their tombs near to the pyramids, which was quite an honour. While the tombs are generally made of mud-brick (rather than stone) some used leftover limestone and rubble from the construction of the royal tombs.
f-Workers Village- The pyramids were built by skilled workers (who lived there all year long) and farmers (who provided seasonal labour during the inundation when they could not work on their farms). The village is about 300 metres south of the Great Sphinx. A 10 metre high wall named 'The Wall of the Crow' separates the mortuary complex from the village, with access via a huge gateway with a limestone lintel.
g- The Pyramids Sound And Light Show- The show which essentially uses the Sphinx in order to narrate the tale of Egyptian history. Visitors will learn more about the region’s history in one hour of storytelling. This is the Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show is a perfect fusion of entertainment and education. There are three shows at 7.30,8.30,9,30.Timings=7.30(English)
Tip- In order to get rid of the vendors at the Giza Pyramids, simply say "No, thank you.”or "La Shukran".
The pyramids were once encased in polished limestone which, according to ancient writers, reflected the light of the sun brilliantly. The limestone was stripped away over the years for use in other building projects, most notably the mosques of Cairo. Of the three major pyramids, however, only Menkaure's is seen today without any of its original limestone casing; Khafre's Pyramid retains its casing stones at its apex while Khufu's has a smaller remainder at its base. The sides of all three of the Giza pyramids were oriented astronomically to be precisely north-south and east-west within a small fraction of a degree. During the First Intermediate Period, the pyramid town of Khufu and the cemetery of Giza were both abandoned and left to decay. During the Middle Kingdom, the pyramids and tombs were plundered, and the causeways and temples were used as quarries by the pharaohs of the 12th Dynasty. Many of the New Kingdom pharaohs protected and revered the ancient monuments of Giza. Since the demise of the ancient Egyptian civilisation, the site has been quarried to aid the construction of Cairo. Most of the limestone cladding of the pyramids ended up adorning the walls of the city. Even so, Giza remains a massive archaeological site.
a-Pyramid Complex Of Khufu (Snefru’s Son)-The Great Pyramid of Khufu is by far the most famous Pyramid in Egypt, the biggest, tallest, and most intact. For a period of 4300 years, the Pyramid was also the tallest building on earth, until the French built the Eiffel Tower in 1889 to take that position. Khufu was the second pharaoh in the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt. He was the son of Snefru and Queen Hetepheres I. Khufu’s pyramid complex consists of a valley temple. The valley temple was connected to a causeway which was largely destroyed when the village was constructed. The causeway led to the Mortuary Temple of Khufu. The king’s pyramid has three smaller queen’s pyramids associated with it and five boat pits. Khufu's pyramid maintains a limited collection of casing stones at its base.
Entrance- The entrance of the Pyramid is located at the northern side, the same as almost every Pyramid in Egypt. On this side there are actually 2 entrances, one is the original, and is 17m (55ft) above ground level, and the other one is a man-made forced entrance located below it. Nowadays visitors, to the site, use Mamoun’s entrance to gain access into the Pyramid, as it is actually considered to be a shortcut. There isn't much to see, except a plain tomb chamber with an empty sarcophagus. Inside the Great Pyramid, there is an extra ticket for this that will cost you 100 LE. They sell only 300 tickets daily, and they are divided among morning and afternoon. They sell 150 at 0800, and then, at exactly 1300, the other 150. (Until the Lincoln Cathedral was built in England in 1311, the Great Pyramid of Giza held the title for the world´s tallest man-made structure. It held the record for an incredible and unparalleled 3871 years.)
Construction-Khufu’s Pyramid is built entirely of limestone, and is considered an architectural masterpiece. It contains around 23,00,000 blocks ranging in weight from 2.5 tons to 15 tons and is built on a square base with sides measuring about 230m (755ft), covering 13 acres. Its four sides face the four cardinal points precisely and it has an angle of 52 degrees. The original height of the Pyramid was 146.5m (488ft), but today it is only 137m (455ft) high, the 9m (33ft) that is missing is due to the theft of the fine quality limestone covering, or casing stones. The accuracy of the pyramid's workmanship is such that the four sides of the base have an average error of only 58 millimetres in length.
Solar Boat- Directly behind the Great Pyramid is the Solar Boat Museum, which displays one of the ceremonial solar barques.
This museum showcases an excavated reconstructed “solar boat,” which was buried with the pharaoh for use on his daily journey with the sun across the sky. It should be noted that entry to the museum is not free, and admission is typically not included in the price of pyramid tours.
b-Khafre's Pyramid Complex( Khuhu’s Son) -Khafre’s pyramid complex consists of a valley temple , a causeway, a mortuary temple and the king’s pyramid. Khafre's pyramid appears larger than the adjacent Khufu Pyramid by virtue of its more elevated location, and the steeper angle of inclination of its construction. Khafre's pyramid retains a prominent display of casing stones at its apex. It is only 136m (446 ft.) tall, with sides of 214.5m (704ft.), a surface area of 11 acres and an angle of 53 degrees. It also has lost some of its original height through the years, once being 143.5m (471ft) tall.
c-Menkaure's Pyramid Complex(Khafre’s Son)- It is smallest of the three Pyramids. This one was only a mere 65.5m (215ft) tall, nowadays 62m (203ft), with sides of only 105m (344ft) and an angle of 51.3 degrees. Menkaure’s pyramid complex consists of a valley temple, a causeway, a mortuary temple, and the king’s pyramid. The valley temple contained several statues of Menkaure.
d-Great Sphinx- The Great Sphinx which has the body of a lion and the head of a man is recognized all over the world. Unlike the Giza Pyramids that were built using hundreds of thousands of carved rock slabs, the Sphinx was carved out of a single sculpted from soft sandstone rock. While the exact age of the Sphinx remains unclear, it is generally believed to have been complete around 2500 BC. It is the biggest monolith statue in the world, and also the world’s oldest monumental statue. The body is 60m (200ft) long and 20m (65ft) tall. Its face is 4m (13ft) wide with eyes measuring 2m (6 ft) high. It faces the rising sun, and was revered so much by the ancients, that they built a temple in front of it.
e-Non Royal Tombs- The skilled workers who live at the site all year round built their tombs near to the pyramids, which was quite an honour. While the tombs are generally made of mud-brick (rather than stone) some used leftover limestone and rubble from the construction of the royal tombs.
f-Workers Village- The pyramids were built by skilled workers (who lived there all year long) and farmers (who provided seasonal labour during the inundation when they could not work on their farms). The village is about 300 metres south of the Great Sphinx. A 10 metre high wall named 'The Wall of the Crow' separates the mortuary complex from the village, with access via a huge gateway with a limestone lintel.
g- The Pyramids Sound And Light Show- The show which essentially uses the Sphinx in order to narrate the tale of Egyptian history. Visitors will learn more about the region’s history in one hour of storytelling. This is the Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show is a perfect fusion of entertainment and education. There are three shows at 7.30,8.30,9,30.Timings=7.30(English)
Tip- In order to get rid of the vendors at the Giza Pyramids, simply say "No, thank you.”or "La Shukran".
002-THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES -The Egyptian Museum in Cairo contains the world's most extensive collection of pharaonic antiquities. It is considered to be one of the oldest, most famous, and largest museums in the world. The Museum was commissioned in 1835 by the Egyptian government. Situated in front of the main entrance of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, there is a small artificial lake that has some of the lotus and the papyrus plants, the most important plants for the ancient Egyptians. The papyrus is that green long plant that was used by the ancient Egyptians to produce papers. Moreover, the words “paper” in English and the word “Papier” in French are both derived from the word Papyrus. The Egyptian Museum boasts 107 halls filled with artefacts dating from the prehistoric through the Roman periods, with the majority of the collection focused on the pharaonic era. The museum houses approximately 160,000 objects covering 5,000 years of Egypt's past.
It has 7 sections which are 1 – Tutankhamon’s Treasures, 2 – Pre Dynasty and Old Kingdom Monuments, 3 - The first intermediate period and the Middle Kingdom monuments, 4 - Monuments of the Modern Kingdom, 5- Monuments of the late period and the Greek and Roman periods , 6 - Coins and Papyrus, 7 - Sarcophagi and Scarabs .
The displays on the ground floor were organized according to the historical periods which are the Old Kingdom, the Intermediate Period, the New Kingdom, the Late Period, the Greco Roman Period, and the antiquities of the Nubia.
On the first floor there are artifacts from the final two dynasties of Egypt, including items from the tombs of the Pharaohs Thutmosis III, Thutmosis IV, Amenophis II, Hatshepsut, and the courtier Maiherpri, as well as many artifacts from the Valley of the Kings, in particular the material from the intact tombs of Tutankhamun and Psusennes I. Two special rooms contain a number of mummies of kings and other royal family members of the New Kingdom.
The Narmer Plate-Among the most important displays that is to be viewed during their visit is the Narmer Plate or the Plate of the King Menes. The Narmer Plate is a large plate made out stone and it is the only remaining evidence that King Narmer or Menes was able to unify the two regions of Egypt, Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt in one unified kingdom, beginning the dynastic era of the Egyptian history. The name of the King Menes is inscribed at the two sides of the plate. The King Menes is portrayed on one side of the plate wearing the long white crown and he is about to beat a war prisoner with his hands.
The Displays of the Old Kingdom-The most important achievements of this period is the Pyramids of Giza, the step Pyramid of Saqqara, the Pyramids of Dahshur, and the Pyramids of Abu Sir. There is a wonderful statue of King Khafre made out of alabaster and it is put on display in the second hall of the ground floor of the museum. There are also four heads of some of the relatives of the king and they were made out of limestone. The Old Kingdom is considered to be among the most powerful periods of the ancient Egyptians. This is why the visitors will find huge statues that are featured with the accuracy in its design and beauty. An example of this is the wonderful statue of king Khafre that was made out of the strong diorite stone.
The Displays of the Middle Kingdom-Museum shows ten notable statues that date back to the Middle Kingdom. The ten statues portray the king Senosert I, a king that belongs to the 12th dynasty and they are all made out of limestone.
The Displays of the New Kingdom-The 18th dynasty which is the first dynasty of the New Kingdom is considered among the greatest dynasties that ruled over Egypt and the most important rulers of this period are Queen Hatshepsut, King Amenhotep, Ikhnaton, and King Tut Ankh Amun. The displays of the New Kingdom also include a large collection of mummification tools, chairs, wooden objects, crowns, and a large collection of statues of gods, kings, and queens that date back to many different periods of the New Kingdom. There are a number of remarkable statues of Queen Hatshepsut with some of them portraying her in the shape of the sphinx while the other shows her in the disguise of a man.
Tutankhamun Galleries-There is an entire section within the museum which has been dedicated to the boy king, Tutankhamen. He is after all the most famous of all the Egyptian pharaohs. Unlike many of the tombs which have been discovered during the years, that of King Tutankhamen was still relatively intact when it was initially discovered in 1922. By the time excavation work was completed, more than 3,500 artefacts had been recovered, including the gold face mask which has since become a global icon of ancient Egyptian civilization. The face mask, which is believed to be a representation of Tutankhamen’s face in this life, was crafted from solid gold and weighs in at 11 kg and measures 54 cm (21 in) in height and 15 inches wide (Room-3). The mask was found in its original position where it had been place over Tutankhamen, concealing the bandages that covered his head. Other artefacts recovered from his tomb include a range of jewellery, vases, pots, a large finely decorated chest, and several weapons and instruments which historians believe he might have used prior to his death.
Museum of Egyptian Antiquities Jewellery Display (Room4)-The Egyptian Museum houses a truly spectacular jewellery display, and one which is considered by many to be the world’s finest display. Coincidentally, the display also often includes two beautiful ivory and gold bracelets that were recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamen. Perhaps the most striking thing of all about this display, is the fact that the items you look at have all been worn by people who lived so many thousands of years ago.
Ancient Sculptures-Sculptures were held in high regard in Ancient Egypt, and there served several purposes. As a result, sculptures of every shape; form and size have been recovered from Egypt’s archaeological sites. Some have come from pyramids; some from the remains of ancient temples and monasteries, and some have simply been recovered from the desert sands.
Royal Mummy Room(Room 46&56)- The original room had 27 mummies on display, whereas the room as it stands today only has 11 mummies, including the most recently discovered mummy, that of Hatshepsut.
Location-Midan Tahrir, the central square of Downtown Cairo.
Hours- Open daily, 9:00 AM-7:00 PM
Ticket - Foreigner- LE 60(General)
Foreigner- LE 100(extra for Royal Mummies Room)
It has 7 sections which are 1 – Tutankhamon’s Treasures, 2 – Pre Dynasty and Old Kingdom Monuments, 3 - The first intermediate period and the Middle Kingdom monuments, 4 - Monuments of the Modern Kingdom, 5- Monuments of the late period and the Greek and Roman periods , 6 - Coins and Papyrus, 7 - Sarcophagi and Scarabs .
The displays on the ground floor were organized according to the historical periods which are the Old Kingdom, the Intermediate Period, the New Kingdom, the Late Period, the Greco Roman Period, and the antiquities of the Nubia.
On the first floor there are artifacts from the final two dynasties of Egypt, including items from the tombs of the Pharaohs Thutmosis III, Thutmosis IV, Amenophis II, Hatshepsut, and the courtier Maiherpri, as well as many artifacts from the Valley of the Kings, in particular the material from the intact tombs of Tutankhamun and Psusennes I. Two special rooms contain a number of mummies of kings and other royal family members of the New Kingdom.
The Narmer Plate-Among the most important displays that is to be viewed during their visit is the Narmer Plate or the Plate of the King Menes. The Narmer Plate is a large plate made out stone and it is the only remaining evidence that King Narmer or Menes was able to unify the two regions of Egypt, Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt in one unified kingdom, beginning the dynastic era of the Egyptian history. The name of the King Menes is inscribed at the two sides of the plate. The King Menes is portrayed on one side of the plate wearing the long white crown and he is about to beat a war prisoner with his hands.
The Displays of the Old Kingdom-The most important achievements of this period is the Pyramids of Giza, the step Pyramid of Saqqara, the Pyramids of Dahshur, and the Pyramids of Abu Sir. There is a wonderful statue of King Khafre made out of alabaster and it is put on display in the second hall of the ground floor of the museum. There are also four heads of some of the relatives of the king and they were made out of limestone. The Old Kingdom is considered to be among the most powerful periods of the ancient Egyptians. This is why the visitors will find huge statues that are featured with the accuracy in its design and beauty. An example of this is the wonderful statue of king Khafre that was made out of the strong diorite stone.
The Displays of the Middle Kingdom-Museum shows ten notable statues that date back to the Middle Kingdom. The ten statues portray the king Senosert I, a king that belongs to the 12th dynasty and they are all made out of limestone.
The Displays of the New Kingdom-The 18th dynasty which is the first dynasty of the New Kingdom is considered among the greatest dynasties that ruled over Egypt and the most important rulers of this period are Queen Hatshepsut, King Amenhotep, Ikhnaton, and King Tut Ankh Amun. The displays of the New Kingdom also include a large collection of mummification tools, chairs, wooden objects, crowns, and a large collection of statues of gods, kings, and queens that date back to many different periods of the New Kingdom. There are a number of remarkable statues of Queen Hatshepsut with some of them portraying her in the shape of the sphinx while the other shows her in the disguise of a man.
Tutankhamun Galleries-There is an entire section within the museum which has been dedicated to the boy king, Tutankhamen. He is after all the most famous of all the Egyptian pharaohs. Unlike many of the tombs which have been discovered during the years, that of King Tutankhamen was still relatively intact when it was initially discovered in 1922. By the time excavation work was completed, more than 3,500 artefacts had been recovered, including the gold face mask which has since become a global icon of ancient Egyptian civilization. The face mask, which is believed to be a representation of Tutankhamen’s face in this life, was crafted from solid gold and weighs in at 11 kg and measures 54 cm (21 in) in height and 15 inches wide (Room-3). The mask was found in its original position where it had been place over Tutankhamen, concealing the bandages that covered his head. Other artefacts recovered from his tomb include a range of jewellery, vases, pots, a large finely decorated chest, and several weapons and instruments which historians believe he might have used prior to his death.
Museum of Egyptian Antiquities Jewellery Display (Room4)-The Egyptian Museum houses a truly spectacular jewellery display, and one which is considered by many to be the world’s finest display. Coincidentally, the display also often includes two beautiful ivory and gold bracelets that were recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamen. Perhaps the most striking thing of all about this display, is the fact that the items you look at have all been worn by people who lived so many thousands of years ago.
Ancient Sculptures-Sculptures were held in high regard in Ancient Egypt, and there served several purposes. As a result, sculptures of every shape; form and size have been recovered from Egypt’s archaeological sites. Some have come from pyramids; some from the remains of ancient temples and monasteries, and some have simply been recovered from the desert sands.
Royal Mummy Room(Room 46&56)- The original room had 27 mummies on display, whereas the room as it stands today only has 11 mummies, including the most recently discovered mummy, that of Hatshepsut.
Location-Midan Tahrir, the central square of Downtown Cairo.
Hours- Open daily, 9:00 AM-7:00 PM
Ticket - Foreigner- LE 60(General)
Foreigner- LE 100(extra for Royal Mummies Room)
003- OLD CAIRO (COPTIC CAIRO) - This small and enclosed area, also known as Coptic Cairo, is the oldest part of the city and was once known as the Roman strongholdstronghold of Babylon. Some of the ancient walls still exist. It is the heart of the Coptic Christian community and although only five of the original 20 churches remains today, they are fascinating to visit, along with the first mosque built in Egypt, and the oldest synagogue. A representation of three of the major religions of the modern world in one area. In the year 300 Egypt was mainly (officially) pagan, but by 330 it was predominantly Christian. These were the thirty vital years when Rome was changing sides.
a-Hanging Church of Cairo-The Hanging Church is considered the oldest church in the area of Al-Fustat (Old Cairo).It is known hanging church because it was built on the ruins of two old towers that remained from an old fortress called the Fortress of Babylon(built by the Romans). It was dedicated to The Virgin Mary and St. Dimiana. Coptic Church of Saint Marry-Hanging Church of Cairo is believed to have been built in 690 AD. It’s also Egypt’s most famous Basilica style churches. There are 110 icons here, the oldest of which dates back to the 8th Century, but most of them date to the 18th Century. The oldest and holiest icon in the Hanging Church in Cairo dates back to the 8th century, and features the Coptic Mona Lisa with baby Jesus sitting on her lap, and John the Baptist standing in front of them. Not only is this the oldest icon, but it’s also the most highly revered icon in the church. Another interesting feature of the church is its vast wooden domed roof/ceiling.
b-Coptic Museum- The Coptic Museum in Cairo is located inside the ruins of the Roman Babylon Fort in Coptic Cairo Centre, an area which is full of Coptic Churches and near the hanging Church and the Church of St Barbra. The foundation of the Coptic Museum goes back to the era of the Persians and a lot of items were added afterwards by the Roman emperors August and Trajan. The museum now displays around 1600 items collected from various regions around Egypt and go back to different century in the Coptic history of Egypt and the Coptic Museum is considered to be a complete illustration of the Coptic history in Egypt.
c- The Synagogue of Ben Ezra- It is believed that the site of the Synagogue where the box of Baby Moses was found. The Ben Ezra Synagogue was originally a Christian Church that the Copts had to sell to the Jews, in 882A.D in order to pay the annual taxes imposed by the Muslim rulers of that time, and therefore Abraham Ben Ezra, who came from Jerusalem during the reign of Ahmed Ibn Tulun, bought the church for the sum of 20,000 dinars. The present building dates back to 1892, the original one had collapsed and a new one was built. It is built in the shape of a basilica (rectangle), consisting of 2 floors; the 1st dedicated for the men while the 2nd is dedicated for the women. The entrance is situated on the north side.
d- The Church of St. Sergio- The church of St. Sergio was built in the centre of the Ancient Roman fort of Babylon. The church is considered as one of the sites visited by the Holy Family during their escape from King Herod to the land of Egypt. The Church is a 4th century church and today is considered to be the oldest of Cairo's Christian churches. It is dedicated to two early martyrs and traditionally believed to have been built on the spot where the Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and the infant Christ, rested at the end of their journey into Egypt. They may have lived here while Joseph worked at the fortress. One of the most important locations in this church is the cave in which the Holy Family stayed during their journey into Egypt. It has a nave and 2 aisles and the ceiling is domed. At the end of the southern aisle of the Cave, is a baptistery.
e- Mosque of Amr Ibn al-As- The Mosque of Amr Ibn al-As might not be the grandest mosque or most famous mosque, but it’s the first mosque ever built in Africa, and certainly worth a visit. Construction of the Mosque of Amr Ibn al-As was started in 642 AD and is largely believed to be the location of the site where General Amr ibn al-As had is tent when he conquered Egypt in that same year. The tomb in which the general’s son was laid to rest is located in one corner of the mosque. It is known that Caliph Umar sent Amr ibn al-As marched into Egypt in order to conquer it, in late 641 AD. His attempt proved to be very successful, and upon conquering the region, he issued orders begin construction of the city of Fustat on the site. The original site was duly called Misr al-Fustat which means City of Tents, and several years later it eventually served as the foundation for the mosque.
a-Hanging Church of Cairo-The Hanging Church is considered the oldest church in the area of Al-Fustat (Old Cairo).It is known hanging church because it was built on the ruins of two old towers that remained from an old fortress called the Fortress of Babylon(built by the Romans). It was dedicated to The Virgin Mary and St. Dimiana. Coptic Church of Saint Marry-Hanging Church of Cairo is believed to have been built in 690 AD. It’s also Egypt’s most famous Basilica style churches. There are 110 icons here, the oldest of which dates back to the 8th Century, but most of them date to the 18th Century. The oldest and holiest icon in the Hanging Church in Cairo dates back to the 8th century, and features the Coptic Mona Lisa with baby Jesus sitting on her lap, and John the Baptist standing in front of them. Not only is this the oldest icon, but it’s also the most highly revered icon in the church. Another interesting feature of the church is its vast wooden domed roof/ceiling.
b-Coptic Museum- The Coptic Museum in Cairo is located inside the ruins of the Roman Babylon Fort in Coptic Cairo Centre, an area which is full of Coptic Churches and near the hanging Church and the Church of St Barbra. The foundation of the Coptic Museum goes back to the era of the Persians and a lot of items were added afterwards by the Roman emperors August and Trajan. The museum now displays around 1600 items collected from various regions around Egypt and go back to different century in the Coptic history of Egypt and the Coptic Museum is considered to be a complete illustration of the Coptic history in Egypt.
c- The Synagogue of Ben Ezra- It is believed that the site of the Synagogue where the box of Baby Moses was found. The Ben Ezra Synagogue was originally a Christian Church that the Copts had to sell to the Jews, in 882A.D in order to pay the annual taxes imposed by the Muslim rulers of that time, and therefore Abraham Ben Ezra, who came from Jerusalem during the reign of Ahmed Ibn Tulun, bought the church for the sum of 20,000 dinars. The present building dates back to 1892, the original one had collapsed and a new one was built. It is built in the shape of a basilica (rectangle), consisting of 2 floors; the 1st dedicated for the men while the 2nd is dedicated for the women. The entrance is situated on the north side.
d- The Church of St. Sergio- The church of St. Sergio was built in the centre of the Ancient Roman fort of Babylon. The church is considered as one of the sites visited by the Holy Family during their escape from King Herod to the land of Egypt. The Church is a 4th century church and today is considered to be the oldest of Cairo's Christian churches. It is dedicated to two early martyrs and traditionally believed to have been built on the spot where the Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and the infant Christ, rested at the end of their journey into Egypt. They may have lived here while Joseph worked at the fortress. One of the most important locations in this church is the cave in which the Holy Family stayed during their journey into Egypt. It has a nave and 2 aisles and the ceiling is domed. At the end of the southern aisle of the Cave, is a baptistery.
e- Mosque of Amr Ibn al-As- The Mosque of Amr Ibn al-As might not be the grandest mosque or most famous mosque, but it’s the first mosque ever built in Africa, and certainly worth a visit. Construction of the Mosque of Amr Ibn al-As was started in 642 AD and is largely believed to be the location of the site where General Amr ibn al-As had is tent when he conquered Egypt in that same year. The tomb in which the general’s son was laid to rest is located in one corner of the mosque. It is known that Caliph Umar sent Amr ibn al-As marched into Egypt in order to conquer it, in late 641 AD. His attempt proved to be very successful, and upon conquering the region, he issued orders begin construction of the city of Fustat on the site. The original site was duly called Misr al-Fustat which means City of Tents, and several years later it eventually served as the foundation for the mosque.
004- KHAN EL-KHALILI (SOUQ QUARTER) - Open air markets such as Khan El Khalili and the other markets in Old Cairo are called a “souk” in Arabic. Khan El Khalili Bazaar is one of the oldest, biggest, and certainly most famous of them all. Khan El Khalili bazaar is located in the Islamic district of Cairo. It was named after Prince Jaharkas Al-Khalili, who was one of the powerful khan Mamluke Princes in the 14th century. Khan El Khalili bazaar was originally built to serve as a mausoleum for the Fatimid royal family, and was at that time a part of the Great Eastern Fatimid Palace which was built in 970 CE. The original bazaar built by El Khalili was demolished and then rebuilt in 1511. The trading hub was built complete with massive gates and several perpendicular streets, in much the same was as many other Ottoman era market places. The market is famous for clothing, spices, traditional jewellery and perfumes. The items are of high quality which is part of the reason that this market has survived for so long. The entry to the Khan el-Khalili area is across the road from Al-Azhar Mosque. On the northern corner of the bazaar is the Mosque of Sayyidna al-Hussein, one of the holiest Islamic sites in Egypt, and Al-Azhar University and its mosque are nearby.
Drinking Hibiscus, Karakare, Helba, or any of the various typical Egyptian beverages, is a pleasant experience for visitors and guests to get a real taste experience. While here stop in at Cairo's most famous coffee shop, Fishawis, established in 1773, where syrupy Arabic coffee and sweet tea are the best.
Closed on Sunday.
Drinking Hibiscus, Karakare, Helba, or any of the various typical Egyptian beverages, is a pleasant experience for visitors and guests to get a real taste experience. While here stop in at Cairo's most famous coffee shop, Fishawis, established in 1773, where syrupy Arabic coffee and sweet tea are the best.
Closed on Sunday.
005- AL-AZHAR MOSQUE- The mosque is located in El Hussein Square, and adjacent to the famous Khan el-Khalili market. It was built by the great army leader and the builder of Cairo, Gawhar El Seqelly with the orders of the Fatimid Caliph, Al Mui'z le Din Allah. The building work of the mosque of Al Azhar started in the year 970 AD and it was finished three years afterwards in 972 AD. It's also one of the world's oldest universities; Caliph El-Aziz bestowed it with the status of university in 988AD. Al-Azhar University is still the leading theological centre of the Islamic world. The Mosque of Al Azhar has a total of five minarets; six entrances, and many gates leading into various courtyards. It’s is to note that all university activities have now been removed from the actual mosque grounds, and today only worship services take place in the main building.
006- THE CITADEL OF SALADIN -Built by Saladin El Ayouby, the famous king and army leader and the founder of the Ayyubid Dynasty, during the end of the 12th century, the Citadel has witnessed many important events in the Egyptian history. The citadel was used as the seat of the king and his government in Egypt for many centuries and many dynasties including the Ayyubids, the Mamluks, and even some Ottomans ruled over Egypt from the Citadel. Many important monuments were built in the Citadel of Saladin throughout its long history. This includes the -
a-Mosque of Mohamed Ali which is the best example of the Ottoman architecture in Egypt, modelled on the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Mohamed Ali, who was sent by the Ottoman Sultan from Istanbul to rule Egypt under his leadership and who was able to make Egypt an independent state away from the Ottoman power in the 19th century, ruled Egypt from the citadel.Ottoman Muhammad 'Ali assumed power of Cairo in the 1800s he had all the Mamluk buildings of the Citadel razed and the complex entirely rebuilt. The Citadel's appearance today is the vision of Muhammad 'Ali, particularly the mosque that bears his name. It was built between 1824 and 1848; the domes had to be rebuilt in the 1930s. The mosque is classically Turkish in style, reflecting its Ottoman origins. The cascading domes, slender minarets, constellation of hanging globe lamps, richly decorated ceiling and spacious interior all recall the great mosques of Istanbul.
b-Mamluk Mosque of El Nasser Mohamed, and the small charming
c-Mosque of Suleiman Pasha El Khadim.
d-The citadel hosts another four interesting museums, the Military Museum, the Police Museum, the Royal Carriages Museum, and the Qaser El Gawhara Museum.
Located at the top of a high cliff, the citadel is also featured with its special location that offers the tourists with magnificent views and, the Citadel is featured with its strategic location overlooking the two neighbouring cities that were alive at the time; Fustat and Cairo. If you are lucky enough to visit on a clear day you will be able to see all the way to the pyramids.
Saladin has also dig a water well inside the citadel to be used by the soldiers if the citadel goes under siege and this well is considered to be one of the most difficult constructions achieved at this period in the 12th century as it was 90 meters deep and it was dig inside the hardest rocks of the Mokatam Mountain.
During the French invasion of Egypt, under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798, the citadel had an important role to play in defending the city until the French soldiers took control of it.
a-Mosque of Mohamed Ali which is the best example of the Ottoman architecture in Egypt, modelled on the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Mohamed Ali, who was sent by the Ottoman Sultan from Istanbul to rule Egypt under his leadership and who was able to make Egypt an independent state away from the Ottoman power in the 19th century, ruled Egypt from the citadel.Ottoman Muhammad 'Ali assumed power of Cairo in the 1800s he had all the Mamluk buildings of the Citadel razed and the complex entirely rebuilt. The Citadel's appearance today is the vision of Muhammad 'Ali, particularly the mosque that bears his name. It was built between 1824 and 1848; the domes had to be rebuilt in the 1930s. The mosque is classically Turkish in style, reflecting its Ottoman origins. The cascading domes, slender minarets, constellation of hanging globe lamps, richly decorated ceiling and spacious interior all recall the great mosques of Istanbul.
b-Mamluk Mosque of El Nasser Mohamed, and the small charming
c-Mosque of Suleiman Pasha El Khadim.
d-The citadel hosts another four interesting museums, the Military Museum, the Police Museum, the Royal Carriages Museum, and the Qaser El Gawhara Museum.
Located at the top of a high cliff, the citadel is also featured with its special location that offers the tourists with magnificent views and, the Citadel is featured with its strategic location overlooking the two neighbouring cities that were alive at the time; Fustat and Cairo. If you are lucky enough to visit on a clear day you will be able to see all the way to the pyramids.
Saladin has also dig a water well inside the citadel to be used by the soldiers if the citadel goes under siege and this well is considered to be one of the most difficult constructions achieved at this period in the 12th century as it was 90 meters deep and it was dig inside the hardest rocks of the Mokatam Mountain.
During the French invasion of Egypt, under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798, the citadel had an important role to play in defending the city until the French soldiers took control of it.
007-SULTAN HASSAN MOSQUE- The Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan is a massive Mamluk era mosque and madrassa located near the Citadel in Cairo. The Sultan Hassan gave order for the construction of this Madrassa to be under the supervision of Prince Mohamed Ibn Baylik Al-Muhssani in 1361A.D, and the work continued for 4 years. Hassan was assassinated in 1391, two years before completion, It was finished by one of his functionaries whose name was Bashir Al-Gamdar. The exterior, with its large areas of stone, is reminiscent of an ancient Egyptian temple.
008-IBN TULUN MOSQUE- The Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Ţūlūn is located in Cairo, Egypt. The mosque was commissioned by Ahmad ibn Tulun and construction was completed in 879 AD. It is arguably the oldest mosque in the city surviving in its original form, and is the largest mosque in Cairo in terms of land area. The mosque together with the ziyada occupies an area of 6.5 acres. It is nearly square in shape, measures 162 m. in length and 161 m. in width. The area which is dedicated for the prayer is rectangular in shape measures about 137 m. x 118 m.
009-ZAMALEK-The island of Zamalek is located between Downtown Cairo on one side and Dokki, Agouza and Mohandiseen on the other. The island can easily be dubbed the Manhattan of Cairo as it’s known to be one of Cairo’s most affluent neighbourhoods and is a popular spot for both Egyptians and expats alike. Because of the high density of embassies around it is also one of the safest neighbourhoods. Zamalek is reachable through several bridges namely; Kasr El Nil Bridge, 6th of October Bridge and 15th of May Bridge.
010-TAHRIR SQUARE-Tahrir Square or Liberation Square, also known as "Martyr Square", is a major public town square in Downtown Cairo, Egypt. The square has been the location and focus for political demonstrations in Cairo. At the centre of Tahrir Square is a large and busy traffic circle. On the north-east side is a plaza with a statue of nationalist hero Omar Makram, celebrated for his resistance against Napoleon I's invasion of Egypt, and beyond is the Omar Makram Mosque. The area around Tahrir Square includes the Egyptian Museum, the House of Folklore, the National Democratic Party-NDP headquarters building, the Mogamma government building, the Headquarters of the Arab League building, the Nile Hotel, Kasr El Dobara Evangelical Church and the original downtown campus of the American University in Cairo. The Cairo Metro serves Tahrir Square with the Sadat Station.
011-CAIRO TOWER- The Cairo Tower is a free-standing concrete tower located in Cairo, Egypt. At 187 m (614 ft.) high. Cairo Tower was reopened in 2009.A landmark in Egypt, it is illuminated in different shades of colours in the evening. It is situated at the Gezira Island (Zamalek).At the very top is a panorama with telescope, an open air experience to see Pyramids of Giza.
Opening Hours- From 8 am to midnight.
Ticket - 60 EGP.
PRESENTED BY - V.P. GUPTA
Opening Hours- From 8 am to midnight.
Ticket - 60 EGP.
PRESENTED BY - V.P. GUPTA