Old Cairo

Old Cairo

Old Cairo is considered the focal point of Egyptian history, and thus no one can say to have "explored Egypt" without going to this historic city, being among the top attractions in Cairo, it presents an incomparable glance at the country's past, which combined both ancient traditions and dynamic culture, a walk through the narrow streets of Old Cairo reveals a cornucopia of historical riches-ancient mosques and churches too busy markets, which have long made up a part of daily life, little wonder that Old Cairo features as one of the major features on many Egypt travel packages.
Old Cairo provides a time warp for visitors to see what Egypt is famous for, it houses a clutch of the country's oldest Islamic and Christian monuments, such as the Hanging Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, These oases speak not only of the architectural brilliance of their time but also narrate the story of Egypt's diverse and continuous religious history.

Choosing the Rotana Egypt Travel guided tour to Old Cairo will mean that you get to see all those places hidden from sight yet so symbolic for this area, Be it a family vacation, an individual tour, or a group one, this historic district is sure to leave a mark on your memory, it is full to the brim that the Old Cairo part should be part of any itinerary when venturing into Egypt. Therefore, when planning your Egypt Tours, make sure not to miss one area and really get all the history and culture firsthand which makes Egypt so special.

Historic Landmarks of Old Cairo

Among the most valued historical monuments of Egypt, a few are found in Old Cairo, Among them, the Hanging Church stands brilliantly with its magnificent architecture and historical importance, The church was built as an ancient Christian church better known as Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church and speaks volumes about early Christian history relating to Egypt then a few meters away, the Ben Ezra Synagogue provides a point in history about Cairo's rich Jewish community, other sites include the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As, the oldest mosque in Egypt, reflecting exceptional Islamic architecture. Each one of these historical monuments has a special story to narrate and helps knit together the rich tapestry of Old Cairo's history, it is as if you have traveled to another era, and as such, Old Cairo really should hold the utmost interest for both the historian and traveler alike.

Places to Visit in Old Cairo

Interesting sights abound in Old Cairo such as the Egyptian Museum of Islamic Art presents the world's biggest collection of pieces of Islamic art and just about everything connected with Islamic culture. Another Treasury is the Museum of Coptic Art, rich in its Coptic Christian artifacts, including some ancient manuscripts and sculptures another fascinating attraction is to let yourself walk to the most brilliant Khan El Khalili bazaar, everything under one roof, from handmade souvenirs to spices and jewelry. Next will be the historical El Muizz Street, which is famous for its perfectly preserved medieval Islamic architecture, the street is lined by stunning mosques, schools, and ancient buildings that reflect the richness of Cairo's past, these varied sites will be far better understood if a visit is paid to each one to understand the historical and cultural heritage of Old Cairo.

The Hanging Church

The most treasured among the attractions in Old Cairo is The Hanging Church, otherwise known as Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church Situated on top of the Babylon Fortress, from its ancient Roman walls, it got its name because it was built suspended, it was built in the 3rd century and later renovated in the 7th, it is a great architectural style, with the ancient and medieval design combined, its exquisite wooden ceiling, the iconostasis, and some historical objects surely catch the eye of a visitor and say much about great Christian heritage in Egypt, since the church is one of the centers of Coptic community life, it represents an important religious function, this would add to the atmosphere of serenity and the historical importance of the church, making it a point of interest while touring Old Cairo.

Ben Ezra Synagogue

Among these historical and cultural monuments is the Ben Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo, it is one of the oldest synagogues in Egypt, which was built in the 9th century, a great proof of the area's rich Jewish history, It houses the most stunning architectural evidence, beautiful arches, and skillful carvings. 
Most famously, it is associated with the Cairo Geniza, a veritable treasure store of Jewish manuscripts and documents from medieval times that were found in the 19th century, these manuscripts have proved to be a rich source of knowledge about history and the daily life of medieval Jewish communities in Egypt. The Ben Ezra Synagogue is a place to uncover the multireligious, complex history surrounding Old Cairo.

Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque

Located in Old Cairo, the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-As is the oldest mosque in Egypt and one of the most historically significant edifices in the history of Islam, founded by Amr ibn al-As in 642 AD, the mosque was built upon the site that initiated the early Islamic conquest of Egypt. The mosque, over the years, enlarged from its core structure through multiple enlargements and restorations, embracing a wide range of architectural styles, visitors are impressed with the huge courtyard, modest yet handsome-looking minarets, and the associated history with them, while the mosque is essentially a place for worship, it is also one of the major signatures of Cairo concerning the city's rich Islamic heritage. 
This place should be visited by everyone interested in discovering the deep roots of Islamic culture in Cairo, not only because of the serenity of the mosque itself but also due to its historical importance.

Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abu Serga)

The Abu Serga, popularly called the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, is a Coptic Orthodox church in Old Cairo, believed to have been built on the site where the Holy Family took shelter during their journey to Egypt, this ancient church was a significant place of pilgrimage to the Copts, Architecture comprises a very simple but nice design, its most known features are the wooden iconostasis and its wonderfully painted ceilings, Inside its houses relics and icons of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, early Christian martyrs, the quietness and deep-seated history in Christianity make Abu Serga inside poignantly remarkable, to contemplate the rich religious heritage of Egypt, inside it holds a special link with the Holy Family, this gives it an extra dimension in importance for visitors to Old Cairo.

Mosque of Ibn Tulun

The Ibn Tulun Mosque is one of the oldest and most magnificent mosques in Cairo, a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture, the Mosque of Ahmad ibn Tulun in Cairo was completed in AD 879 by Ahmad ibn Tulun, founder of the autonomous state of Tulunid, the mosque is famous for its monumental size and historical importance, the plan of the mosque consists of a spacious, open courtyard surrounded by a big prayer hall with a peculiar spiral minaret, some of its distinctive architectural features include complex stucco carvings and a beautiful extended courtyard with a large ablution pool. 
The architectural design and planning of the mosque reflect the Abbasid predetermined style of the early period, reflecting insight into the architectural and cultural evolution that had been experienced at the time, many people who have visited the Mosque of Ibn Tulun remarked on the serenity in the ambiance and the deep historic touch that this mosque has over Cairo's rich Islamic heritage.

Al-Muizz Street

Al-Muizz Street is probably the most dynamic historic street in the whole of Old Cairo, filled with a rich array of medieval Islamic architecture, stretching for about one kilometer, this street is lined with some of Cairo's best-preserved mosques, schools, and historic buildings with marvelous landmarks of Islamic art and architecture include the grand Al-Hakim Mosque, the graceful Sultan Qalawun Complex, and the ornate Bayt al-Suhaymi, walking through the street of Al-Muizz is a lot like peeling back the wrappings to reveal Cairo's medieval past, with every building testifying to achievement in the realms of art and culture in those times, the street is bustling, the traditional shops and markets are filled, lending vibrancy to the street, the above example gives a real illustration of the visit to Al-Muizz Street in real-time as a means of insight into the historical and cultural heritage of Cairo.

Visiting Old Cairo is much like reaching back through the great history of Egypt and the multicultural feeling attached to it, from the famous Hanging Church, and the old Ben Ezra Synagogue to the historical Mosque of Ibn Tulun, and the busy street of Al-Muizz, Old Cairo represents a tapestry of experiences showing what Egypt stands for, diverse, grand, and unique experiences, every venue in this fascinating district tells its own story, reflecting just how deep the roots of Cairo's religious and architectural heritage are.
For those planning their tours to Egypt, a Cairo tour is incomplete without Old Cairo, which defines the meaning of Cairo attractions, be it wondering at the designs of Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church or taking simple flamboyant market walks in Khan El Khalili, Old Cairo offers attachment to bygone years. Rotana Egypt Travel will make sure that you remember your tour to Old Cairo and tailor-make an Egypt travel package focused on the best of this historic area.