Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is one of the largest cities in Africa, and is truly the very picture of fusion of history and today. Located on the banks of the majestic Nile river, the Cairo lies at the very heart of Egypt. The city has been the pinnacle of the country’s culture and politics for many centuries. Home to over 20 million people, the capital is praised for its vivid lifestyles and a unique combination of historical heritage and modern-day technology.
Famous monuments of Cairo
Cairo, astonishing for its rich history and culture, is offering travelers a great number of significant places each one of which has its own unique history.
Giza Pyramid Complex
It is undoubtedly one of the wonders of the world. The Pyramid of Cheops (or Great Pyramid) is the main surviving wonder. Nearby are the pyramids of Chephren and Mykerin, each also impressive in size and wisdom of design. The Great Sphinx, the largest monolithic statue in the world, adds to the mystery and grandeur to the whole composition.
The Egyptian Museum
Located at the Tahrir Square, this museum houses over 120,000 exhibits from the Ancient Egypt Era. One of the best known of such exhibits is the Tutankhamun’s treasures, including his famous golden mask. The museum offers you a journey into the ancient times, letting you see objects used in regular, or religious activities and post mortem customs of ancient Egyptians.
Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo)
This district is the spiritual heart of the Christian population of Cairo. Travelers have the opportunity to walk across ancient churches, among which are St Sergius and Bacchus Church and St. Barbara Church. This district is also known for its Khan el-Khalili bazaar, where everyone can purchase traditional handcrafted goods, jewelry, and enjoy the vibe of an ancient middle-eastern market.
Sultan Hasan Mosque and Madrasah
It is one of the architectural wonders of the Mamluk period, built in between 1356-1363. The mosque is famous for its outward grandeur and luxurious interior. Not only this is a place of prayer, but also it is an educational institution, which a madrasah, in fact, is.
Muhammad Ali Palace
The Muhammad Ali Palace, known as the Alabaster Mosque is one of the outstanding monuments in the capital. It is located at the highest point inside of the Islamic Cairo district known for its places of interest and historical significance.
They began building the mosque in 1830 by order of Muhammad Ali Pasha, the ruler of Egypt, who took modernization of the country seriously, and was paying great attention to arts and architecture. The construction has completed in 1848.
The Muhammad Ali mosque is very famous for the use of alabaster covering not only the outer walls, but also the interior rooms. All of this contributes to the unique impression the visitors perceive.
The mosque architectural style combines traditional Egyptian culture elements and the influence of the Ottoman tradition. The main dome part and two rising towers are empowered with colorful decorations and powerful posture. Inside the mosque, there is a grand prayer hall with exquisite decorations and ornaments.
While in this Palace, a sightseer can enjoy picturesque view of Cairo, which makes it a very popular place among tourists and locals alike. Muhammad Ali Palace is not just a place of historical interest, but also a symbol of modernization and renaissance of Egyptian culture during the rule of Muhammad Ali Pasha.
Museum of Islamic Art
Cairo Museum of Islamic Art is located in one of the monument-richest districts of the city. Opened at 1903, the museum is one of the largest and most important displays dedicated to islamic art. The museum houses over 100,000 of various art objects dated from the 7th to the beginning of the 20th century, showcasing Islamic art and culture of different eras.
The museum exposes a wide range of artefacts, including ceramics, metals, carpets, fabric, wooden objects, rare pieces of calligraphy, coins and manuscripts. Each one of these objects demonstrates the authenticity of Islamic art mastery. Some halls in this museum are dedicated to arts from specific regions, such as India, Iran, and Syria, which lets the guests see the diversity of arts heritage of islamic nations.
Cairo Citadel
Cairo Citadel, or Salah al-Din’s Citadel, is an important historical and cultural place located on the eastern outskirts of Cairo. This massive building has been erected by Salah al-Din at the end of 12th century to protect the city from the crusaders, later becoming a residence and government center of the Mamluk and Ottoman rulers of Egypt.
The Citadel houses the Muhammad Ali mosque, as well as many other buildings and museums, such as the Royal Carriage Museum and the National Military Museum driving tourists and researchers seeking to know more about the rich cultural and military heritage of the region.
These and many more other monuments in Cairo enable people gain a better insight into the centuries long history and the cultural heritage of Egypt.
Conclusion
Cairo is a city which lets you dive deeper into the history of one of the most ancient and mysterious civilizations in the world.
The vast heritage left behind by the pharaohs, greek and roman culture, and Islamic dynasties make it attractive not only to researchers and historians, but also to anyone who wishes to catch the vibe of culture thousands of years old, feel the spirit of time and expand one’s horizons. It is impossible to know Cairo from far away, one must see, hear and sense it in person to get the full impression of this great and miraculous city.
