What To See in Cairo ?
The
Pyramids of Egypt, which served as tombs for
the Ancient Pharaohs
, and the statue of the
Sphinx, which dates from 2565 BC and is
probably the country's most famous monument,
are located just west of Cairo in the suburb
of Giza. Despite the desert background
usually depicted in photographs, the
Pyramids are extremely close to Cairo and
are likely to be affected by the city's
continued expansion.
Cairo
contains numerous religious and governmental
structures. The ornate architecture of the
Citadel, in eastern Cairo, enhances the
city's skyline. Begun by Saladin in 1176 and
modified and expanded by later sultans, the
Citadel is famous for its Mosques, Museums,
and fort; within the complex the Mohammad
Ali Mosque (1830) is particularly notable,
with its storied domes and twin minarets.
The Coptic Church known as Al Mu'allaqa,
located in Old Cairo, is believed to be the
earliest known site of Christian worship in
Egypt; the church was built in the 3rd
century, though it has been almost entirely
replaced through successive restorations.
Old Cairo also contains the Ben Ezra
synagogue, the central house of worship for
Cairo's small Jewish population, and the
distinctive and imposing gates of Cairo.
Once part of a wall that encircled the city,
these three gates are all that remain of the
original eight. Among Cairo's modern
buildings are the Cairo Tower, which stands
at a height of 187 m (about 614 ft) and
commands a view of the Pyramids and the
Citadel.
Related topics:
Here is a list of what you should
see in Cairo:
Old Islamic Cairo:
