Ibn Tulun Mosque (Tolon, As Sayedah Zeinab,, Cairo) — This spectacular 9thth-century edifice with spiral minaret is one of the most striking pieces of Islamic architecture in Cairo. Ibn Tulun Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world. Ahmed Ibn Tulun, the Turkish governour who founded it, declared his independence from the Ottoman […]
Greek Orthodox Church of St. George (Mar Girgis Street, Cairo) — The nearby Greek Orthodox Church of St. George has the same circular design of the Roman tower upon which it was built. Founded in the 10th Century, and alternating between Greek and Coptic ownership, the original building was damaged by fire in 1904, though […]
Gawhara Palace (The Citadel, Quesm Al Khalifah, Cairo) — First thing’s first, don’t expect to see any jewels in here. Although “Gawhara” means jewel in Arabic, Gawhara was actually the name of Mohammed Ali’s last wife, Gawhara Hanem, after whom the palace was named. Dating back to 1814, the palace is a marvel of Ottoman […]
Gawhar al-Lala Mosque (overlooking Citadel Square, facing Rifai Mosque, Cairo) — At a short walking distance from the Citadel square, niched in a small street emerging from behind the grand Al-Rifai Mosque, lies the Gawhar al-Lala mosque. This relatively small mosque covers a surface of a little less than 200 square meters. Dating back to […]
Egyptian Museum (Al Ismaileyah, Qasr an Nile) — With over 120,000 artifacts, the museum houses an unbelievable exhibit depicting ancient Egypt’s glorious reign. Mummies, sarcophagi, pottery, jewelry and of course King Tutankhamen’s treasures, it’s all there. The boy-king’s death-mask – discovered in its tomb – is made of solid gold and it has been described […]
El Muallaqa Church (Mar Girgis Metro Station, Cairo) – The hanging church is considered the most famous Coptic church in old Cairo . Its name derived from the fact of being built over the ruins of the Roman bastion (Babylon Fortess), visible at the back of the church. The church probably dates from the 7th […]
Coptic Museum (Mar Girgis Metro Station, Cairo) — See the distinctive blend of cultures at the Coptic Museum in Cairo where are displayed hundreds of Christian Egyptian documents, statues and artifacts in which you’ll distinct Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman influence. Take a breath of fresh air in a peaceful courtyard surrounded by […]
Cairo Tower (Gezira Island, Zamalek district, Cairo) – designed by the Egyptian architect Naoum Chebib, the 187-meter tall Cairo Tower offers the most amazing panoramic views of the Egyptian capital. It is advised to go up to the tower’s circular observation deck in the late morning or late afternoon for the clearest views of the […]
Beshtak Palace (Muizz Street, next to the Katkhuda Sabil, Cairo) — Experience the palatial life of 14th century Mamluk princes in one of the only remaining domestic residences from the period. The Qasr, located on Al Mu’izz li-Din Allah Street, was built by Prince (Amir) Beshtak Al-Nasiri between 1334 and 1339 where the Eastern Fatimid […]
Babylon Fortress (Mar Girgis Metro Station, Cairo) — As you leave the Metro station, you arrive at the twin towers of the western gate of the fortress of Babylon Fortress, Coptic Museum & Hanging Church, built by the Roman emperor Trajan (98-117 CE). These towers were built on what were the banks of the Nile […]