Zamalek / Gezira
History of Zamalek/ Gezira, and who developed it?
Visit Zamalek on the north end of the island to stroll in the quiet, tree-lined streets. In recent years the neighborhood has been more densely developed, but some of the grand villas that covered the island 100 years ago when it was an enclave reserved for diplomats, colonial officials, and Egyptian aristocracy still remain. Zamalek also hosts some of Cairo’s finest restaurants and shops.
Cairo Tower, the Gezira Club, and the new Cairo Opera House dominate the south end of the island. The Gezira Club was originally the British officers club during colonial occupation, but today it is an exclusive club populated by foreigners and the Egyptian elite. Cairo Tower, built-in 1962 by President Gamal Abdel Nasser, offers an impressive panoramic view over Cairo. On a clear day, you can see both the minarets of Cairo’s Citadel to the east and the peaks of the Pyramids in the west. The Opera House is a towering modernist update on Islamic architectural traditions and has a program consisting of opera, ballet, theater, and contemporary music performances.
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Sequoia—a luxurious outdoor restaurant at the northern point of the island provides delicious Lebanese/Egyptian Mezza, beautiful views of the river, and unmatched ambiance. Review here.
Al Aqmar Mosque was built by al-Ma'mun al-Bata'hi, wazir of the Fatmid Khalif-Amir, in 1125. Click here to know more about Egypt Islamic history through Memphis tours!
The complex is built at the heart of Islamic Cairo at a place known as Bayn Al-Qasreen, or ‘Between the Two Palaces, named for the two Fatimid Palaces that originally stood here. Click here to know more through Memphis Tours!
The Mosque of Amr Ibn Al As is the first Mosque in Egypt. The glory of this Mosque come from being the announcement of the beginning of the Islamic Period in Egypt.
the Mu’ayyad Mosque is still one of the most beautiful mosques in the city, a tribute to Sultan Mu’ayad’s reputation as a great patron of architecture in Cairo.
Although it stands in the shadow of the Citadel, Sultan Hassan’s Madrassa-Mosque still manages to make a strong impression. The building is a massive example of Mamluk architecture, constructed during the 14th century reign of a sultan who was famous for his extravagant spending.
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun was built as the ceremonial center of the new capital Al-Qatta’i.
In1869 Khedive Ismail gave instructions to build an Opera House on the occasion of the inauguration of the Suez Canal. It was called Khedivial (Royal) Opera House.
The Coptic Museum lies behind the walls of the famous Roman fortress of Babylon in the ancient district of Cairo (Misr Al-Qadima).
The Egyptian Museum is hard to miss on any tour of Cairo. Opening in 1902, it was purpose-built to house the antiquities of Ancient Egypt.
The complex was a built as a unique, multi-use space. It included the mosque and the mausoleum, but also a sabil that provided free water to the people, administrative space, and a covered market among other things.
Located deep in the winding alleys of Coptic Cairo, Ben Ezra Synagogue is the oldest Jewish temple in Cairo, dating from the 9th century AD.
The district of Old Cairo ( Masr al-Qadima in Arabic ) is Located in the south part of the city, on the right bank of the Nile opposite to the Island of Roda. Know More!
