Although Cairo is the largest city in the Middle East - indeed, in all of Africa - you will be impressed by the warmth and graciousness of her people. Around 17 million people living peacefully together offer you a harmonious blend of the past and present.
Cairo has been described as the “Jewel of the Orient,” the “City of the Thousand Minarets,” and the “Melting Pot of Ancient and Modern Egyptian Civilizations.” No matter what your interests are - culture, shopping, relaxing at a resort, nightlife – Cairo has something especially for you.
“In order to thoroughly enjoy an overwhelming, ineffaceable first impression… one should begin in Cairo with a day in the native bazaars… just taking in scene after scene, with its manifold combinations of light and shade, colour, costume, and architectural detail. Every shop front, every street corner…is a ready-made picture.”
Amelia B. Edwards, 1877
Coptic Cairo
El Mouallaqa Church
The Virgin Mary's Church
Built by the Romans 2100 years ago, El Mouallaqa Church is also known as the “Hanging Church” because of its location on top of the south gate of the Roman fortress of Babylon. Its nave is suspended over a passage that leads into the castle between 2 bastions. Its architectural style includes (wood in the ceilings) and oriels (arabesques and lattice glass). The Mandatum Tank sunk in the floor of the nave was used for the foot-washing ceremony on the Feast Day of St. Peter and St. Paul . Al Mouallaqa contains icons of the martyrdom of St. George and of St. John the Baptist done by the artist John the Armenian.
Islamic Cairo
Citadel of Saladin
The Citadel is a pavilion that was originally created in 810. In 1176, the celebrated Muslim leader Salah Al Din fortified the area to protect it from attacks by the Crusaders. It is both a fortress and a miniature royal city. One of the most unique features of the Citadel is its aqueduct, built in the 12 th century and currently under restoration. It is a magnificent piece of engineering that carried water more than 3 miles from the Nile to the Citadel for everyday use, and it was vital in times of siege. The Citadel also houses the Alabaster Mosque, which can be seen from any part of Cairo , and the famous Khan El Khalili bazaar, while offering an unparalleled panoramic view of Cairo from the Moqattam Hills.
Sultan Hassan Mosque and School
This magnificent structure was built in 1256 A.D. as a mosque and religious school for all sects. Many consider this the most outstanding monument in Egypt , and the most beautiful mosque in the Moslem world. It is Cairo 's largest mosque with the tallest minaret, and boasts bronze doors inlaid with gold and silver, marble paneling, and a fountain that used to run with sherbet on special occasions.
Al Azhar Mosque and University
The Al-Azhar Mosque was built shortly after the founding of Cairo ; it was named “Al-Azhar” after Fatima al-Zahraa, daughter of the Prophet Mohamed. It is home to the oldest university in the world, where the first lecture was delivered in 975 A.D. Today the mosque is reserved for prayer, and the university offers religious studies, modern schools of medicine, science and foreign languages.
Jewish Cairo
Ben Ezra Synagogue
Ben Ezra Synagogue may be the home of more history and legends than any other synagogue in the world. Over 400,000 items were discovered there, including a valuable collection of ancient manuscripts and Torah scrolls, dating back over a thousand years.
It is said that the Ben Ezra Synagogue is built on the ruins of a church, which in turn was built on the ruins of a synagogue. One of its many legends is that it marks the spot where Pharaoh's daughter found the Baby Moses. The synagogue features Arabesque designs on the walls and ceiling, bright stained-glass windows and mother-of-pearl cabinets.
Cairo Museums
Islamic Museum
The Islamic civilization produced great philosophers, scientists and military leaders. The Museum of Islamic History serves to educate the public about the history of the Islamic civilization. Its exhibits include arts and crafts from all parts of the Moslem world, representing the entire range of Islamic art. There are tapestries, ceramics and manuscripts rescued from mosques. Here you can learn about the religion of Islam and the life of the prophet Mohamed.
Coptic Museum
Situated in Old Cairo, the Coptic Museum is one of the most important cultural institutions that have preserved the Coptic heritage. Within its walls are 140,000 antiquities, including illuminated manuscripts, icons and textiles. It also exhibits various aspects of the Hellenic, Nubian and Islamic cultures.
Egyptian Museum
It is universally believed that the Egyptian Museum in Cairo houses the greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world. Among its riches are the treasures of the Tutankhamun Galleries. When this young Pharaoh died, he was buried with an enormous amount of gold, and this splendid collection can be viewed at the museum. The Royal Mummy Room contains the mummies of 11 kings and queens from the 18 th through the 20 th dynasty. Other fascinating sights of the museum include jewelry, pharaonic tools, and animal mummies.
Modern Cairo
Cairo International Conference Center
This is an all-inclusive conference center with state-of-the-art conference facilities. It has 3 main conference halls, a fourth for receptions and a fifth for exhibitions. There is a simultaneous interpreting system fully equipped with 8 languages, fully equipped secretarial offices, gourmet kitchens and a press center.
Opera House
The National Cultural Center of Cairo is a 7-story opera house designed by a team of Japanese and Egyptian architects. It is considered a masterpiece of Islamic design, with 3 theaters, rehearsal halls, a museum and a library. It is equipped with a sophisticated state-of-the-art audio-visual system
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