Cairo is Islamic, though some areas are more so than others. Actually, this area is no more Islamic than Central Cairo, but as though walking through a time machine we are transported back to Cairo's past Islamic heritage, to a world of ancient mosques and 1,500 hundred year old markets; to medieval forts and the city that was Salah ad-Din's.
Ads
Greater Cairo extends on the banks of the River Nile to the south of its delta. Here the Nile divides into its two parts: Rosetta and Damietta. It is the city where past and present meet. On its east side stands the evidence of 2000 years of Islamic, Chrestian Coptic, and Jewish culture still flourishing to this day. On its west side lies the Ancient Egyptian city of Memphis (Giza), the renowned capital of the Old Kingdom and the site of the Pyramids, the only wonder surviving of the Seven Wonders of the World. Indeed, a journey through Cairo is a journey through time... A journey through the history of an immortal civilization.
Mosques, and Islamic architecture in general, unlike western architecture, varies more between different geographical regions then it does between historical ages. Scholars tell us that this is at least due in part to the rapid initial spread of Islam, as opposed to that of Christianity, which was suppressed during its first several hundred years. Christianity had the opportunity to develop more common architectural styles in its formative years, while Islam spread through a vast territory quickly where the use of local building material and ideas by local craftsman and architects created very distinguished regional variants.
Old Cairo was totally cool, especially seeing where three religions meet, Islamic Mosques, Coptic Churches and Jewish Synagogues.
Overlooked by many visitors who concentrate on the Egyptian museum, the museum should be seen because it contains one of the world’s finest collections of Islamic art. The building itself, decorated with intricate ceilings and mosaic floors, is cool, clean and properly lit. the lovely setting enhances the beauty of the objects gathered from various Islamic periods such as fountains, pottery and glass from different countries and eras. An interesting collection of Mameluke weaponry, illuminated manuscripts and Qurans belonging to King Farouk are of interest. Many consider the Sultan Hassan Mosque to be the most outstanding Islamic monument in Egypt.
This mosque has become the symbol of Cairo was built by Muhammad Ali it was built in 1830 in two parts: the actual mosque and the court. The latter measures 52 x 54 meters and is surrounded on four sides by a colonnade of marble columns roofed with small domes.
The last king of Egypt renounced his rights to the throne on July 26, 1952 and died on April 18, 1965 in Italy. His body was brought back to Egypt in Nasser's time and buried in an unknown tomb. Later President Sadat ordered Farouk's remains to be buried in his family tomb.
This famous mosque was built by Princess Khushyar Hanem, mother of the khedive lsmail, who inaugurated the Suez Canal.The building is flanked by four massive columns on which the pointed arches which divide the mosque into three porticoes stand Two marble columns, one white and the other dark green, stand at the sides of the great dome. The mihrab is decorated with thin marble inlays, incrusted with mother-of-pearl. The mosque houses the tomb of the royal family of Egypt, from the khedive ismail and his mother, princess Khushyar, up to Farouk.
The mosque of Sultan Hasan has two minarets one of which is 82 meters high and is considered one of the highest of Islamic minarets even though it is two meters lower than those on themosque of Muhammad Ali, built 500 years later.
The museum consists of two adjacent buildings which once belonged to the AI-Kiridii family, originally from Crete. It is said that when he heard that Ahmed ibn Tulun wanted to build his mosque without pillagin & the Christian churches for columns', he was the only one to declare that he could realize the prince's dream.
The first mosque built in Egypt in the year 21 AH/ 541 AD. Situated in Old Cairo, the mosque breeds a spirit of simplicity, with a heritage of architectural art from the different ages.
The tomb of Al Hussein was erected there in 549 Ah / 1154 Ad. During the reign of the Caliph Al Zafir Bi Amr Allah. It was added on to and renovated through the ages, rebuilt during the reign of Abbas the First and fully restored by Khedive Ismail. It holds some of the relics if the Prophet Mohamed places in a special room built for the purpose in 1893 AD. The area was enlarged by more that half, and a two story building was added as well as ablution areas. The Baha'isect in 1965 Ad donated niche of pure silver inlaid with precious stones.
Built by Saladin on a promontory of the Maqattam hills in 579 AH/ 1183 AD. The castle overlooks Cairo and contains within its walls many monuments and buildings includes the Mosque of Soliman Pasha, the Mosque of Mohamed Ali (Known as the marble mosque) and Joseph's well which is some 90 meters deep.