Cairo
Cairo
Located on the banks of the Nile River, Cairo is an amazing city. Home to ancient temples, tombs, Christian churches, magnificent Muslim monuments and mosques, the Egyptian Antiquities Museum (with the Tutankhamun Collection) and of course, the Pyramids of Giza.
The western and more modern Cairo is full of wide boulevards, public gardens, and open spaces. The older eastern section of the city is very different and is filled with small lanes and crowded tenements and hundreds of ancient mosques.
Cairo is best explored over a few days, wandering the streets in Old Cairo, Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo. Also make time to shop, whether it be in the air-conditioned shopping malls or taking in the hussle and bussle of the various markets. A must has to be the famous Khan el-Khalili souk, (or market) largely unchanged since the 14th century.
Located on the banks of the Nile River, Cairo is an amazing city. Home to ancient temples, tombs, Christian churches, magnificent Muslim monuments and mosques, the Egyptian Antiquities Museum (with the Tutankhamun Collection) and of course, the Pyramids of Giza.
The western and more modern Cairo is full of wide boulevards, public gardens, and open spaces. The older eastern section of the city is very different and is filled with small lanes and crowded tenements and hundreds of ancient mosques.
Cairo is best explored over a few days, wandering the streets in Old Cairo, Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo. Also make time to shop, whether it be in the air-conditioned shopping malls or taking in the hussle and bussle of the various markets. A must has to be the famous Khan el-Khalili souk, (or market) largely unchanged since the 14th century.
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The Pyramids
You won't want to miss one of Egypt's top attractions, the last surviving member of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid of Giza. There are in fact three main pyramids in Giza; the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops), The Pyramid of Kafhre and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaura. |
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Each Pyramid is a tomb to a different King of Egypt. In front of the pyramids lies the Sphinx, or Abu al-Hol in Arabic, "Father of Terror". Carved out of a single block of stone, this enormous cat-like sculpture has mesmerized millions of visitors.
Giza's three pyramids and the Sphinx were thought to have been constructed in the fourth dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom, arguably the first great civilization on earth. For most of us that translates in to about 5000 years ago. Even though there is still debate about how the pyramids at Giza were built, most are in agreement it wasn't by aliens . It is believed about 20,000 labourers were used and approximately 2 million blocks of stone, each weighing 2.5 tons, just to build the Pyramid of Khufu.
Giza's three pyramids and the Sphinx were thought to have been constructed in the fourth dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom, arguably the first great civilization on earth. For most of us that translates in to about 5000 years ago. Even though there is still debate about how the pyramids at Giza were built, most are in agreement it wasn't by aliens . It is believed about 20,000 labourers were used and approximately 2 million blocks of stone, each weighing 2.5 tons, just to build the Pyramid of Khufu.
Egyptian Antiquities Museum
Housing more than 120,000 antiquities, it is said that if you were to spend one minute looking at each item in the Egyptian Museum, it would take over nine months to complete the tour. You could visit many times and still discover different wonders each time you wander throughout the galleries.
Housing more than 120,000 antiquities, it is said that if you were to spend one minute looking at each item in the Egyptian Museum, it would take over nine months to complete the tour. You could visit many times and still discover different wonders each time you wander throughout the galleries.
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You therefore have to be selective in your viewing of this amazing collection. The best visit is probably made over 2 days. There are many highlights to choose from: Huge stone sarcophagi, statues of Nefertiti and Ramases II staring down at you, papyrus scrolls, alabaster jars (used to hold the internal organs of the dead), mummified birds and animals, the mummified bodies of kings and queens including Ramases II himself.
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And do not forget the amazing collection of treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun! More than a million and half tourists visit the museum annually, in addition to half a million Egyptians and it is easy to see why people flock to see this collection of antiquities.
The Tutankhamum Collection
Probably the most famous collection of artefacts in the world is housed on the upper floor of the Egyptian Antiquities Museum. The collection of items discovered in the tomb of King Tutankhamun.
Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the young King Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in 1923. It took him around 10 years to complete his excavation of the tomb. Unlike the other tombs in the Valley, this was the only one to be discovered intact and the collection is remarkable. On display here is the beautiful gold funerary mask and sarcophagus, an ancient trumpet, thrones, the four huge gilded boxes that fit one inside the other (which housed the sarcophagus), and even a royal toilet seat.
Probably the most famous collection of artefacts in the world is housed on the upper floor of the Egyptian Antiquities Museum. The collection of items discovered in the tomb of King Tutankhamun.
Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the young King Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in 1923. It took him around 10 years to complete his excavation of the tomb. Unlike the other tombs in the Valley, this was the only one to be discovered intact and the collection is remarkable. On display here is the beautiful gold funerary mask and sarcophagus, an ancient trumpet, thrones, the four huge gilded boxes that fit one inside the other (which housed the sarcophagus), and even a royal toilet seat.
Khan El-Kallili
A huge, sprawling mass of cobbled streets makes up one of the best shopping experiences Cairo has to offer. The grand souk (market) of Khan El-Kallili. The souk has been in existence since the 14th Century when it became a major centre for international trade.
A huge, sprawling mass of cobbled streets makes up one of the best shopping experiences Cairo has to offer. The grand souk (market) of Khan El-Kallili. The souk has been in existence since the 14th Century when it became a major centre for international trade.
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Today the streets are home to numerous shops and their shopkeepers peddling their wares. The best way to see it is just to wander, experiencing the smells, colours, the hussle and bussle. Whatever you are looking for, you should be able to find it somewhere in Khan El-Kallili. There are whole sections of the souk devoted to selling particular goods: Gold and jewellery, spices, clothing, perfume, furniture, carpets and a lot more.
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Make a point of visiting the jewellery workshops where they will engrave your ring, cartouche or bracelet whilst you wait. When you need a rest from the shopping, head to Fishawi's cafe, which you can count on being open when you get there: It has been open continuously, day and night, serving up coffee and sheesh for more than 200 years!
