The capital of Egypt for thousands of years, little remains of this once great city to attest to its glory. Memphis was founded by the I Dynasty pharaoh Menes around 3100 BCE and destroyed after the Arab conquest in the 6th Century CE. Most of its treasures were looted or reused in other monuments and the sparse remains hardly warrant a special excursion. Worth seeing, however, is the colossal statue of Ramses II, alabaster sphinx of King Thutmose III and embalming slabs where the holy Apis bulls were mummified. Most of the artifacts have been gathered for display in a garden. A nominal admission fee is charged.
An everlasting symbol of human endeavor and exemplary ancient architecture, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and only remaining intact member of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Every year when the great Nile flooded the golden soils of Egypt, Pharaoh Khufu hired several unemployed civilians to contribute to the construction of this mystical structure, a persevering effort that lasted nearly two decades. Appearing to worship the mighty skies, this colossal pyramid rises from the ground to meet its apex at 147 meters (481 feet), and is deemed to be the tallest structure in the world to be built by human hands. While the pyramid is composed of three known chambers, it was originally intended to serve as a tomb for the reigning emperor. The Great Pyramid continues to shine mysteriously under the gaze of the unforgiving sun, a glorious form built of three million limestone blocks, and years of plentiful toil.
Cette magnifique mosquée est affiliée à l’université Al-Azhar, l’une des universités islamiques les plus anciennes du monde et un prestigieux centre d’apprentissage depuis 970. Il y a plusieurs siècles, les cours étaient donnés dans la mosquée elle-même. De nos jours, ils ont lieu dans les bâtiments annexes de l’université, qui sont situés dans toute la ville du Caire et attirent des chercheurs et des étudiants du monde entier. La mosquée Al-Azhar est l’un des édifices les plus pittoresques du Caire. Ses minces minarets semblent traverser le ciel et sont encore plus beaux lorsqu’ils sont illuminés la nuit. Son architecture est un amalgame de styles établis au fil des ans, créant un lieu de culte en parfaite harmonie.
One of the largest Islamic Art museums in the world is the Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo with more than a 100000 Islamic artifacts from recent times as well as antique pieces. The museum occupies the ground floor of a Neo-Mameluke building with quiet rooms that contain a good collection of art, ceramics, calligraphy, metalwork and woodwork. Some of the displays, such as heavy wood doors and Ottoman fountains, are quite large.
The mighty Pyramid of Djoser is one of Egypt’s most iconic attractions and dates all the way back to the Third Dynasty, or roughly 27th Century BCE. This massive structure located in the Saqqara necropolis represents a turning point in Egyptian burial practices. Up until Imhotep designed this pyramid, which is comprised of six stacked mastabas of decreasing size, pharaohs were entombed in singular mastabas, which were flat-roofed rectangular brick structures. This step pyramid served as the predecessor for such smooth-sided structures as the Great Pyramids of Giza. As the name implies, the pyramid houses the remains of the pharaoh Djoser, though many of the wonders he was buried with were stolen by grave robbers over the ensuing centuries. With special permission, guests can explore the funerary complex surrounding the pyramid, including the hypostyle hall and Great South Court, parts of which have been restored.
Fondé en 1858 par l’archéologue français Auguste Mariette (dont la tombe se trouve dans le jardin du musée), ce gigantesque bâtiment rose saumon fut construit 1902 sous le khédive Abbas II Hilmi. Abritant l’une des plus grandes collections égyptiennes au monde, on y trouve plus de 136 000 artéfacts de chaque période l’histoire égyptienne pré-islamique. Il serait impossible de tout voir en une seule fois (passer 60 secondes à regarder chaque objet prendrait neuf mois), assurez-vous donc de prévoir plusieurs visites. Les expositions au rez-de-chaussée sont organisées de manière plus ou moins chronologique, dans le sens des aiguilles d’une montre, avec un échantillon éclectique d’objets égyptiens marquants dans l’atrium. Ne manquez pas l’acclamée collection d’Amarna nichée à l’arrière. À l’étage, vous trouverez des trésors inestimables du tombeau de Toutankhamon, la gloire de ce musée. Également à l’étage, la salle des momies, rouverte en 1994 après des années de controverse, contient les momies des pharaons les plus puissants d’Égypte.
The capital of Egypt for thousands of years, little remains of this once great city to attest to its glory. Memphis was founded by the I Dynasty pharaoh Menes around 3100 BCE and destroyed after the Arab conquest in the 6th Century CE. Most of its treasures were looted or reused in other monuments and the sparse remains hardly warrant a special excursion. Worth seeing, however, is the colossal statue of Ramses II, alabaster sphinx of King Thutmose III and embalming slabs where the holy Apis bulls were mummified. Most of the artifacts have been gathered for display in a garden. A nominal admission fee is charged.
Located within the walls of Egypt's famous Citadel, this mosque is named after its founder who was an Ottoman governor. Built in 1528, the mosque is a fine example of typical Ottoman architecture. The mosque, situated in a small enclosed garden, has a rather lovely entrance by way of a courtyard with arcades topped by small cupolas. It is truly enchanting. The Citadel is a "must-see" anyway, so make sure you don't miss out on the Suleiman Pasha Mosque. Remember to dress modestly and to remove your shoes before entering a mosque.
Opened on June 17, 1977, this museum pays a fine tribute to the great poet Ahmed Shawki, voted the Emir (the prince) of the Arab Poem. The museum features the poet's bedroom, study, and his extensive library. Of particular note are the 713 poem manuscripts. The museum's collection also includes medals, awards and gifts awarded to the poet in acknowledgment of his great achievements.
Sitara brings the magical world of fairy-tales to life through numerous stage shows, musicals and plays. One of the city's hidden gems, this theater is responsible for putting a smile on the faces of the city's kids. This is where one can watch some of their favorite characters take stage and save the day, and also learn a valuable lesson or two. Apart from theatrical shows, Sitara also offers workshops, wherein children of all ages can learn the art of theater and also feature in one of the upcoming shows.
Picasso Gallery has a neat location on 1st Shubra Al Kheimah highway in Al Qalyubia Governorate, Cairo. Aimed at promoting and exhibiting modern forms of art, this gallery features a well-curated collection of paintings, sculptures and other installations inspired by the school of abstract art. Apart from the regular exhibits, the gallery organizes a number of themed, temporary exhibitions, wherein a number of abstract ideas are put forth through creative canvas paintings.
Named as the Ramses Wissa Wassef Arts Center after the famous architect who lived in the 20th Century was established in the year 1951. Visiting this center should be listed on your itinerary while in the city. The center has a number of sections that are dedicated to traditional art in the form of tapestry. With a vision to see young Egyptian villagers contribute to the tapestry art, the center was opened to promote the same on an international platform. Besides textile art, they also showcase a number of traditional ceramic articles. You can also shop at the store as a remembrance of your visit.