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18 Thursday , April, 2024
Official Portal of Cairo Governorate

 

 

Landmarks

 

 

 
 

 

 

Al-Azhar Mosque

 

 

It was founded by Jawhar al-Siqilly, in the Fatimid conqueror of Egypt, in 361 Ah- 972 Ad to be a mosque and university and it was and still a true marvel and a not-to-be-missed attraction while visiting Cairo. It was named Al-Azhar after Fatimah Al-Zahra (daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad) and it is the first of the Fatimid Cairo's mosques. The middle area of the mosque is rich with the most gorgeous Islamic monuments that return to the tenth century and afterwards.

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Al-Azhar Mosque Museum on Google Maps

 

Ibn Tulun Mosque

 

Ibn Tulun Mosque is located in Ibn Tulun Square near to Al sayd Zayneb Mosque. It is about six and a half acres. It was built by Ahmed Ibn Tulun, the founder of the Tulunid dynasty that ruled Egypt, 265 AH- 879 AD. It is one of the oldest mosques in Egypt as it is the third mosque built in Egypt.  

Ibn Tulun Mosque on Google Maps

 

Mosque of Al-SalihTala'i

 

This mosque was built by Al-Salih Tala'i 555 AH -1160 AD. Also known as the "hanging mosque" as it is located above street level. It is the "most recently" built Fatimid mosque in Cairo. Located near Bab Zuweila, it boasts beautiful Kufic Koranic inscriptions on it walls and pillars. Under it, there are shops which pay for the mosque’s financial needs.

Mosque of Al-SalihTala'i on Google Maps

 

Abu Al-Dahab Mosque

 

This mosque was built in 1774 AD- 1188 AH towards Al-Azhar mosque upon the Amir Mohamed Beh Abu El Dahab request, one of the leaders of Egypt during the rule of the Ottoman Empire. The mosque is a combination of the Ottoman and Mamluk styles. The mosque of Abu Dahab is considered a hanging mosque as it was built above the street level.

Abu Al-Dahab Mosque on Google Maps

 

Al-Rifa'i Mosque

 

Al-Rifa'i Mosque is one of Cairo's largest mosques. It took 43 year. It is Located in "Midan Al-Qalaa" or the Citadel Square. It was built by Khushyar Hanim mother of Ismail Pasha 1286 AH- 1869 AD. This Mosque is the resting place of many members of the Egyptian Royal Family, including the last king, King Farouk.

Al-Rifa'i Mosque on Google Maps

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The Mosque and School of Al Sultan Hassan

 

The mosque and the school of Sultan Hassan are located at Salah al-Din Square inside the Citadel. It was built between 1356 and 1363 by Sultan Hassan who was killed before finishing the construction of the mosque. The mosque- madrasa (school) is considered one of the most outstanding and important Islamic buildings that represents the architectural arts of the early of the mamluk era which was marked by its architectural splendor.

The Mosque and School of Al Sultan Hassan on Google Maps

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Al-Amir Shaykhu al-'Umari Mosque and Khanqah

 

The mosque was built in 1349, five years later by the Khanqah in Sulaiba Street. It was built by Al-Amir Shaykhu al-'Umari. The interior of the mosque is quite beautiful with decorations of black glass, wood and marble, as well as a stone Minbar which is rather unusual. The beamed ceiling of the Khanqah along with the blue and white tiling creates a magnificent effect, which is further enhanced by the lovely Koranic inscriptions.

Al-Amir Shaykhu al-'Umari Mosque and Khanqah on Google Maps

  

The Blue Mosque

 

The Blue Mosque (The Aqsunker Mosque) was built in 1347 and it is located in Old Cairo. It boasts a beautiful bluish marble on its outer walls, and inside is flowery tiling in Ottoman fashion in blue, giving the mosque its name; these tiles were added during a 1652 restoration. The Blue Mosque is remarkably close to where the Salah El-Din’s city walls were recently found and across the street from Al-Azhar Park.

The Blue Mosque on Google Maps

 

Amir Sarghitmish Madrassa and Mausoleum

 

 This small institution is located right next to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun on Al-Saliba Street in Cairo. It was built in 1356 and functioned as a madrassa, a mosque, an orphanage, and a mausoleum once Amir Sarghitmish passed away. Many of the teachers at this madrassa came from Persia, hence the use of Persian styles in the architecture and interior elements.

Amir Sarghitmish Madrassa and Mausoleum on Google Maps

 
Beyt Zeinab Al-Khatoun
 

This house was built in 873 Ah- 1420 Ad and it is located behind Al-Azhar Mosque. It is a breathtaking example of Islamic Cairo. This is a house marked by women – from its elite 19th century female owner after which it is named, to the girls' vocational school that operated there in the 1980’s, to its recent reopening after renovation by Suzanne Mubarak.

Beyt Zeinab Al-Khatoun on Google Maps

 

It is located behind Al-Azhar Mosque and was built in 1141 AH - 1731 AD. During the 90's the house was renovated through joint French-Egyptian efforts. The House is distinct by its colorful and golden ornament carved ceilings and it is example of the Ottoman houses. Beyt Al-Harrawi is also all about music. So much so that it also goes by the moniker Beyt Al-Oud (house of the lute).

Beyt Al-Harrawi on Google Maps

 
 

Magra Al-Oyoun Aqueduct

 

Salah El-Din Al Ayoubi wanted to provide the citadel (the place of most Egypt’s rulers) with fresh water so he built sour Magra Al-Oyoun that extended from Al-Fustat to the citadel but a small part only remains. It is known that Al-Nassir Muhammad ibn Qalawoon built four wheels of water to connect the water of the Nile to Salah El-Din Citadel. 

Magra Al-Oyoun Aqueduct on Google Maps

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Virgin Mary's Tree

 

The Tree of the Virgin Mary is located in Al-Balsam Street in Al-Matareya near Senusert obelisk. The tree is considered as a holy tree because there the Holy Family were said to have found shelter beneath the shade of a sycamore tree. The trunk of the tree is also said to have opened its bark miraculously to protect them when brigands pursued them. A miraculous spring of water gushed nearby for the child to drink and in its pool, a healing Balsam plant grows until this day.

Virgin Mary's Tree on Google Maps

 

 

Prince Taz Palace

 

Amir Taz Palace, also known as Dar Taz meaning the home of Taz is one of the most well-known Mamluk Palaces remaining in historic Cairo. In the 19th century, it became a girl's school, and has then been used as a storage depot by the Ministry of Education. Recently, the palace has undergone major renovations, and is now open for touristic visits in the morning, with a new area that includes exhibitions of the palace's property. At night, the palace hosts an Egyptian television show called Al-Kasr.

Prince Taz Palace on Google Maps

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Mostafa Kamel Museum

 

Mustafa Kamel Museum is located at Salah El-Din Square, inside the castle of Salah Aldin. The museum was used as a shrine containing the remains of the two leaders, who are Mustafa Kamel and Mohamed Farid. The museum was officially opened in April 1956. The museum contains two large halls that contain many collections of Mustafa Kamel, the most important of which are books and speeches by Mostafa Kamel in his handwriting and some pictures of his friends and relatives.

Mostafa Kamel Museum on Google Maps

 

Nilo meter

 

It is one of oldest civilian buildings in Egypt. It is located on the lower end of Rhoda Island, in Cairo; the Nilometer was used to measure the level of the river in times past. It was built in 861 AD – 247 AH by the Muslim Caliph Al-Mutawakkil, it is crowned by an interesting pointed dome that was reconstructed after being destroyed by French invaders.

Nilo meter on Google Maps

 

Cairo Tower

 

The Cairo Tower is located in the center of the capital on Zamalek Island on the Nile. The tower was designed by the Egyptian architect, Naoum Chebib. It was built in the form of the Pharaonic lotus symbol of their civilization. You will also find a restaurant at the top of the tower. Occasionally, the restaurant revolves around the tower's main axis.

Cairo Tower on Google Maps

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6th of October Panorama

 

The 6th of October Panorama is located in Salah Salem Street in front of El Obour Buildings. This is the October War Panorama which is a unique cultural, artistic and architectural achievement. Moreover, it is a major tourist attraction. The Panorama has been set up to immortalize Egypt’s triumphant war of October 1973.

6th of October Panorama on Google Maps

 

 

Cairo Opera House is Located on the upscale island of Zamalek. It was established in 1988 with the inauguration of the new Cairo Opera House. Its goal is to promote the arts of music and dance and to preserve and renew traditional Arab music. In order to be more than just a place where music and art are performed the National Cultural Centre wants to give space to learning and inspiration, to the exchange of ideas, the respect of a common cultural heritage, and a shared passion for the arts.

Cairo Opera House on Google Maps

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Unknown Soldier memorial

 

The Memorial of the Unknown Soldier is located in Nasr City. It was made in the wake of October War in 1973 to memorize the sacrifices of the brave Egyptian soldiers. In the first anniversary of October War, late President Sadat issued directives to make a memorial to the martyrs of the war and to memorize the Unknown Soldier.

Unknown Soldier memorial on Google Maps

 

Egyptian National Library and Archives

 

The National Library and Archives was established by a decree from Khedive Ismail in 1286 AH- 1870 AD on an initiative from Ali Pasha Mubarak. The library was established for the purpose of "collecting the valuable and precious manuscripts held back by the Sultans, Princes, Scholars, and authors from the Mosques, Shrines, and Institutions of Learning.

Egyptian National Library and Archives on Google Maps