About Cairo

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa. A cosmopolitan city that blends charm of the East with a Mediterranean flavour which accommodates 26% of the Egyptian population. It is a melting pot where antiquities of Pharaonic dynasties, Graeco-Roman civilisation, Christian and Islamic landmarks co-exist.

On the Muqattam hills extending on the east bank of the Nile rises Salah al-Din Citadel. At its base extend hundreds of splendid Mosques and Islamic monuments. On the western Bank of the Nile and on top of the Giza plateau rise the colossal Pyramids and the mysterious Sphinx, two of the most glorious contributions of Pharaonic heritage. Between the Pyramids and the Citadel lies modern Cairo with its network of roads, squares, gardens, clubs, amusement parks, luxurious hotels, skyscrapers and Cairo Tower rising 187 metres high. In the heart of Cairo, the eternal River Nile flows from South to North.

Pharaonic Monuments

Egypt abounds in many pyramids beginning with the Giza pyramids, Abu Rawash pyramid, and extend southward along the western desert for 70 km. Ruins of Al Lahoun pyramid can be located near the Fayoum entrance.

Giza Pyramids & Sphinx

On the west bank of the Nile facing Cairo on top of the plateau rise of the three Pyramids erected by Cheops, Chepren and Mycerinus, guarded by the mysterious Sphinx which is a mythical statue with the body of a lion and a human head. The three Pyramids and the Sphinx are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the most important tourist site in Egypt.

The word "sphinx", which means "strangler", was first given by the Greeks to a fabulous creature which had the head of a woman, the body of a lion and the wings of a bird. In Egypt, there are numerous sphinxes, usually with the head of a king wearing his headdress and the body of a lion. There are, however, sphinxes with ram heads that are associated with the god Amun.

Memphis

Memphis is considered the most ancient capital of Egypt established by King Mina. Its Monuments include:

• The colossal statue of Ramses II exhibited in the museum
• The Alabaster statue of the Sphinx for king Tuthmosis
• The serapeum: temple of mummification of Apis, the sacred bull

Saqqara

Saqqara is the ancient site of Memphis city an the most ancient burial ground in Egypt; hence it abounds in monuments, antiquities and tombs. Situated on a desert plateau crowned by Zoser step pyramid and its funerary complex including temples and tombs distinguished by glamorous wall engravings established by the architect lmhotep for King Zoser (III dynasty). It is the most ancient stone building in the world. The most important place to visit in Saqqara is the pyramid of Unas, the Serapeum and mastabas which are the tombs of Nobles, the most famous of which is the tonb of Ptah Hotep, the tomb of Kegemni and the tomb o mereu

Christian Monuments

Christian monuments in Egypt are of religious and historic significance. They are regarded as a transitional period between Pharaonic and Islamic art, the Coptic museum houses ad rare collection of antiquities. Old Cairo is renowned for its antique churches.

Old Cairo (Qasr El Shama)

Al Moallaqa (The suspended Church)

Built on the remains of the Roman fortress of Babylon. It was built at the turn of the fourth century. A wood carving representing Jesus Christ entering the Jerusalem. It houses about ninety rare icons of basilican style.

Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar

Khan el-Khalili, once known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period, is now usually just called the 'Khan'. Named for the great Caravansary, the market was built in 1382 by the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in the heart of the Fatimid City. Together with the al-Muski market to the west, they comprise one of Cairo's most important shopping areas. But more than that, they represent the market tradition which established Cairo as a major centre of trade, and at the Khan, one will still find foreign merchants. Perhaps, this market was involved in the spice monopoly controlled by the Mamluks, which encouraged the Europeans to search for new routes to the East and led Columbus, indirectly, to discover the Americas. During its early period, the market was also a centre for subversive groups, often subject to raids before the Sultan Ghawri rebuilt much of the area in the early 16th century. Regardless, it was trade which caused Cairo's early wealth, even from the time of the Babylon fort which was often a settlement of traders.

Khan Al-Khalili market contains many stores what exhibit wonderful collections of jewellery, wooden products engrafted with mother-of pearl, leatherwear, embroidered dresses and attractive handmade products that make a great selection of souvenirs. You are sure to pick up many bargains in this wonderful bazaar full of flavour, spice and everything nice.

Museums of Cairo and Giza

The Egyptian Museum

Located at Al-Tharir Square in the heart of Cairo. The largest of Egyptian antiquities museums all over the world. It houses about 250,000 antique pieces covering the whole history of ancient Egypt, which extends over the past five thousand years. The exhibits of this museum are famous for their historical and artistic value. The most splendid is the collection of Tutankhamun.
Visiting hours are from 9am to 4pm daily except on Fridays from 9am to 11am and from 1.30pm to 4pm.

The Coptic Museum

Situated in old Cairo, it houses a rare collection of the first Christian relics, architectural remains, textiles, icons, old manuscripts. It exhibits reveal the splendour of old Coptic art with its colours and ornamentations which are considered a transitory style between Pharaonic and Islamic arts. Open between 9am to 4pm.

Cairo by Night

It combines the charm of the East and the arts of the West to afford the tourist evenings full of all kinds of entertainment.

Sound and Light show at the Pyramids

This unique show combines the lights projected on the three pyramids and the Sphinx, and the sound effects suggestive of the ancient Pharaonic atmosphere together with the narration of the history of the Pyramids and the Sphinx. The sound and light show is narrated in Arabic, English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Italian.