Lazoghly Square
Lazoghly
Square is one of Cairo's Squares, and it was named after Lazoghly Pasha one of
Egypt's dignitaries during Mohammed Ali's Era. Lazoghly Pasha came to Egypt
accompanying Muhammad Ali Pasha in the late eighties. He held several positions
as he was the Minister of finance, then he became the first Minister of Armed
Forces. Finally, he served as the Prime Minister of Egypt in 1808, and he
remained in his position for 15 years.
His
real name is Mohammad Laz while the word “Oghly” means “son “in other words
“the son of Laz” and “Laz” is a surname which is given to a section of a
population in the Black Sea in Turkey.
Lazoghly
pasha was known for his exceptional personality and was a very shrewd
politician, and some said that he was the mastermind of the famous massacre in
Mohammed Ali Citadel. Although Lazoghly Pasha was a well-known man and had a
high position for a long time during Mohammed Ali's era, he didn't care about
glorifying his name or his achievements.
Location
Lazoghly
Square lies at the intersection of Magles El-Ommah Street, Dawawin Street and
Khairat Street.
Lazoghly Pasha Statue and its mystery
Right
in the middle of Lazoghly Square in Cairo stands a colossal statue made by the
French sculptor Jack Mar. Mohammed Ali Pasha had decided then to erect statues
of Egypt's most famous dignitaries as a commemoration to their contribution to
the country, including Lazoghly Pasha.
When
the French sculptor wanted to create Lazoghly Pasha Statue, he couldn't find
any picture of him. So, he had to find a person looking like him. Eventually, he found a water carrier "Saqqa"
who resembled Lazoghly Pasha greatly. Then, they brought him clothes like the
ones of the Prime Minister, and he posed for the sculptor. It was the first and
the last time for this water carrier to dress and act as a state official.
