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Some of Our Touristic Places
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Cairo Attractions : Most often Cairo is the starting point for a
traditional Egypt tour. It is the city of a
thousand minarets, teeming with life, and
chock-full of great tourist attractions as
follow :
The Giza Pyramids and the
Sphinx :
Most must-see attractions within the
Giza area are concentrated on the Giza
plateau at the end of Pyramids Road.
These include:
The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)
The Great Giza Pyramid of Khufu is the
last surviving member of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World. It was
originally 146 m (479 ft) high but now
stands a still impressive 137 m (449 ft).
Over 2 million blocks of stone were used
to construct it, and all with manual labor.
The Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren)
The Giza Pyramid of Khafre is a little
smaller than the Great Pyramid but
appears slightly larger than it from a few
angles because of a better position on the
plateau.
The Solar Barque Museum
The Solar Barque Museum is just
alongside the southern face of the Great
Pyramid. This museum is well done and
showcases an excavated reconstructed
"solar boat," which was buried with the
pharaoh for use on his daily journey with
the sun across the sky. Entry fee is LE 40.
The Interior of the Pyramids
If you venture into the interior of the
pyramids, be warned that they're hot,
humid and may be claustrophobic. If you
can stand it, however, entrance into them
is very interesting and educational.
Personal viewing of the interior walls and
passageways can give you an even deeper
appreciation of the tremendous
achievements these pyramid builders
attained when they built these impressive
structures.
The Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus)
The Giza Pyramid of Menkaure is the
smallest of the Giza Pyramids and stands
just 62 m (203 ft) high (originally 66.5 m).
It should be noted that although not all of
that Pyramids can be equally accessed so
that interested parties can explore them
inside, the Egyptian Supreme Council of
Antiquities will be closing even the
accessible ones one at a time so that they
can do conservation and renovation work.
The Sphinx and the Temple of the Sphinx
The Sphinx, a colossal, recumbent human-
headed lion, was the Egyptians'
representation of the sun god Re-
Horakhty - "Horus of the horizon".
Egyptians call it Abu el-Hol, the "Father of
Terror." In addition, the Greek name
"Sphinx," when translated, means
"Strangler".
45 meters long and 22 meters wide, it is
carved from a giant block of sandstone
and is much smaller than the Pyramids
surrounding it. It's also missing the nose,
purportedly the victim of target practice
by bored soldiers. Some say these soldiers
were British soldiers in World War I or
that they were Napoleon's troops in 1798,
but 18th-century drawings show the nose
is already missing, which thus points the
finger at the occupying troops.
Complete your visit by going to the
various Queens' Pyramids and Nobles'
Tombs, which are located in regimented
cemeteries surrounding the royal
Pyramids
The Egyptian Museum:
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo provides
you with the opportunity to see Egypt
ancient history up close and personal.
This museum is a must on your Cairo
travel itinerary.
Cairo has a number of wonderful things to
offer to visitors. It is located on the
beautiful Nile, and it is close to some of
the most famous sites in all of Egypt – the
Great Pyramids of Egypt and the Sphinx.
Everyone who comes to the beautiful city
will find a number of wonderful things
that will keep him or her busy.
The Egyptian government established the
museum, located in Cairo, in 1835. They
began the museum as an effort to stop all
of the plundering and looting that was
going on at all of the different
archaeological sites in the area. The
museum would protect the priceless
artifacts that trace Egypt's past.
The Egyptian Museum has a number of
wonderful items in their collection. When
you visit Cairo, you must stop by the
museum and take a look at everything it
has to offer.
Funerary Works
The Egyptians have a very unique belief
in the afterlife, and this collection
contains many traces of that. One can see
sarcophagi, funeral art, and many other
items and artifacts.
Jewelry
Egyptian jewelry is beautiful and unique,
and the museum has the most incredible
collections in the world. You can see
jewelry of both silver and gold, some even
inset with precious stones. The
workmanship is highly detailed and
beautiful.
Sculpture
Egyptian sculpture was used for religious
depictions and was often located in
temples and tombs. The museum houses a
number of different sculptures from
throughout the history of the culture of
Egypt. The attention to detail in the
sculptures is incredible.
Some of the most impressive pieces in the
collection are a sculpture of the goddess
Selket from the Canopic Shrine and the
bust of King Merenptah. You can find a
wide variety of sculptures.
King Tut
Probably the most famous artifacts in the
entire museum belong to the King Tut
collection. A boy king, he ruled for only
nine years, but his power and legend are
still felt today. He had in incredible
collection of treasure and much of that is
located at the museum.
Some of the most impressive pieces in
this collection are shields, bracelets,
jewelry and more. The collection is vast,
and has a great variety of items.
Anyone who comes to Cairo should make
certain to visit the Egyptian Museum. It
makes a great place to visit along with the
pyramids and the other historical sites
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar:
The Khan El Khalili Bazaar is one of the
oldest markets in Egypt, begun in the late
1300s. This bazaar still operates and
allows you to experience an exciting
world where treasures can still be found.
open Air Markets In Islamic Cairo:
Islamic Cairo is famous for its open air
markets where vendors hawk their wares
to anyone and everyone who passes by.
Haggling is the order of the day and, once
one gets used to it, it can be quite fun! One
of the most famous of these markets is the
Khan El Khalili Bazaar. It's not just a
tourist attraction, the many wares are of
high enough quality to lure locals as well
as those just visiting the nation.
History
This market has deep historical roots. It was started in the late 1300's and founded by Emir Djaharks el-Kalili under
Burji Mamlik Sultan Barquq. The Emir built what is called a caravanserai, a place where travelers stopped to rest for a while on their long journeys. These waypoints are unique to the Middle East and allowed for enough room so that animals could be allowed to take in the shade, as well. The original caravanserai still stands today in the market.
Souvenirs
The market is famous for clothing, spices, traditional jewelry and perfumes. The items are of high quality which is part of the reason that this market has survived for so long. The bazaar is far from a tourist trap, though there are plenty of souvenirs available. Many of the high quality cloths and other items made by local artisans
provide the best souvenirs, however, as they are a part of Egypt's people and culture.
The Coffee
This Egyptian bazaar is a great place to while away an entire day. The sights and sounds are enduring examples of the Egyptian culture that have been going on for hundreds of years. For a break from the heat, there are plenty of coffee shops along the street. Egyptians like their coffee strong, so be prepared for quite a jolt from their favored drink, but also prepare for some of the most exotic tasting coffee you'll ever have.
The Souk
Open air markets such as Khan El Khalili
Bazaar and the other markets in Old Cairo
are called a "souk" in Arabic. The tradition
of buying and selling, haggling and
bargaining among the crowds is more
than a consumer activity in Egypt. It's a
great way to socialize and meet new
people.
You'll find many tourists visiting the
bazaar area and, given the fact that it's
one of Cairo's major draws, you'll likely
find more than a few from your own
country as well.
El Azhar Park :
Located in the heart of old historic Cairo
and commanding stunning panoramic
views of the world's most intriguing city,
Al-Azhar Park offers every visitor a
glimpse into the captivating past. Lush
green landscaped gardens are an
enjoyable sojourn away from city's major
tourist attractions. Embracing valuable
history, the park is home to the newly
discovered Ayyubid wall, constructed by
Salah El Din more than 800 years ago.
Covering an area of about 30 hectares, al-
Azhar Park is the largest expanse of green
in Cairo. Established by the Aga Khan
Trust For Culture in 1984, it was built
over the top of a huge pile of rubble that
had been turned in to a rubbish tip. Don’t
let this put you off: al-Azhar Park is a
peaceful oasis on the edge of the chaos
that is Islamic Cairo.
Paths meander through idyllic gardens,
and you are never far from one of the
many water features. It’s a great place to
relax, and many people take a picnic. If
you’d rather be waited upon, there are
four restaurant/cafes located in the
grounds. Because al-Azhar Park is on a
hill, you get amazing views all over Cairo.
On a clear day you can even see the
Pyramids!
As with much of Cairo, the best bit is
people-watching: old men reminiscing on
benches, children playing leapfrog, and
daring young lovers holding hands as
they stroll through their own little world.
If history is your thing, then check out the
800 year-old Ayyubid wall that has been
partially restored. If music is more your
scene, then ask at the information desk
about up-and-coming concerts; many of
them are free!
Al-Azhar Park is a perfect place to chill
out after you’ve tackled some of the
nearby sights of Islamic Cairo, such as
Khan al-Khalili or the Citadel. You can get
here by taxi, or even walk up from Khan
al-Khalili.
The Cairo Citadel:
Explore amazing medieval architecture at
The Cairo Citadel. Learn why you should
consider adding the Citadel of Cairo to
your travel itinerary.
Saladin Citadel of Cairo
The Citadel, also known as the Saladin Citadel of Cairo, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cairo and throughout all of Egypt. Cairo is the capital of Egypt and also the 13th largest city in the world. About 16 million people live in the city and enjoy it not only for its thriving modern society but also for its historical significance. The Citadel is part of the Muqattam Hill near the center of the city. It was once renowned for its breezes and beautiful scenery, as far back as Ayyubid ruler Salah al-Din, who built it and then fortified it against attack. The estimated construction date is between 1176 and 1183.
The Mosques Inside
You may notice that the Cairo Citadel is also referred to as the Mohamed Ali Citadel because inside, it holds the actual Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, built in the 19th century. The mosque was constructed in honor and in memory of Muhammad Ali's oldest son who died young. There are two other mosques to see at the Cairo Citadel: the Hypostyle Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad and the Mosque of Suleyman Pasha. Other sights to see include Al-Gawhara Palace, the National Military Museum and the Police Museum. There are also music events that are held in various areas of the citadel. The Citadel of Cairo has been called a grand castle and still contains many artifacts and surviving properties of ancient civilization. For example, water pipes that used to carry the water from the Nile River to the citadel can still be seen.
The View is Spectacular
What have tourists said regarding the experience? The scenery is definitely the best feature of the Citadel. Some tourists have remarked that it’s as if nothing has changed in the Saladin Citadel for century. There are still medieval decorations, wooden bay windows and decorative arches. Many tourists have commented that the view from the terraces is the most exciting and inspiring aspect of the experience. In addition to the scenery, remember that there are also several museums to enjoy as well as historical buildings, mosques and other “ancient” style amenities. Experienced tourists suggest that you wander around at your own pace and preferably away from the crowds, as there are a lot of people coming in and out. The Citadel is not only one of Cairo’s top attractions but also one of the most iconic images in the world. Come experience the beauty of the Saladin Citadel of Cairo!