Cairo

"This world, the great Cairo ….the most admirable and the greatest city seen upon earth…
the Microcosmus of the greater world…" William Lithgow, 1614

Travellers have marveled at Egypt's archaeological wonders for centuries, ever since the Ancient Greeks visited the pyramids.
Today, the ancient wonders attract millions of tourists each year to the pyramids, temples, mosques and great monuments of the Nile Valley , as well as the stunning diving resorts of the Red Sea

Founded on the site of Babylon , near the ruins of ancient Memphis , Cairo has been the largest city in Africa for centuries.
Modern Cairo encompasses many former cities and their monuments: the pyramids, the sphinx, early Christian monasteries and churches, and mosques of the Mamluk and Ottoman sultans.
Five thousands years of culture are concentrated here, at the center of three continents. Travel through time in city that is a living index to civilization. Enjoy the comforts of cosmopolitan twentieth century capital.

Today's sky line mixes minarets and palm trees with art deco buildings and multicolored neon, however you can still see the sunset over the Nile.
Cairo has a unique atmosphere: both exciting and relaxing. The city pulses with life while the Nile flows on towards the sea, "The mother of the world" is one of the friendliest and safest cities in the world: Egyptian hospitality will ensure that, wherever you come from, you'll feel quite at home.

Old Cairo

It is considered a complex for the three religions, and a living museum for religious and historic monuments including Ben Ezra synagogue, the oldest church and the oldest mosque in Africa.
Recently Souk El-Fostat (El- Fostat Market) and the pottery center had been founded in Old Cairo to join between the magnificent past and the present, and to produce handicrafts such as textiles, ceramics, glass, pottery, traditional crafts and wooden products.
The market contains 47 bazaars for local artisans, craftsmen and designers. The local artisans of Souk El-Fostat organize artistic classes to teach the children of the area such crafts.

Christian Monuments
Christian monuments in Egypt have a religious and historic significance.
They are regarded as a transitional period between Pharaonic and Islamic art, the Coptic museum houses a rare collection of antiquities. Old Cairo is renowned for its antique churches:

• Old Cairo (Qasr ElShama')
  Al Moallaqa (The Suspended church) Built on the remains of the Roman fortress of Babylon, at the turn of the fourth century. It houses Wooden carving representing Jesus Christ entering Jerusalem; and, about ninety rare icons of basilica style.
   

• Abu Serga Church
  It dates from the 4 century A.D. It was used as a shelter by the Holy Family during their flight from King Herod.
   

• Saint Barbra church
  Dates back to the early 5 century A.D. It lies in the eastern section of the fortress of Babylon.
  It is considered one of the most beautiful Coptic churches of the basilica style and is remarkable for its wooden door, a masterpiece of art, its iconostasis is decorated with precise inscriptions of sycamore wood consist of 45 panels.
   

• Greek Orthodox Church of Mari Guirgis*
  Built on one of the towers of Babylon Fortress. This basilica is round in structure with a domed roof.
   

• The Church of Abu Seifein Monastery*
  Located in Amr Mosque Street, near the Metro station (Mar Guirgis). It comprises three churches: - Anba Shenouda Church. - Abu Seifein Church (Saint Macuruis). Which contain the cave of Saint Barsoum El Erian - The Church of the Virgin in El Damshirya.
   

• Saint Mark Cathedral*
  The largest cathedral in Africa recently built in Abbassiya district. The relics of Saint Mark, the Evangelist who first preached Christianity in Egypt, are kept in this cathedral.
   

• Mari Mina Church*
  It is located in the area of fum Al-Khalig. He is considered one of the most famous saints of the Coptic Church.
   

• The Virgin's Tree in Mataria*
  Rested next to the blessing tree. The tree is two thousand years old and is evergreen.

Islamic Monuments
Artistic beauty of Islamic monuments is not limited to mosques only, but also houses and palaces side by side with fortresses and other architectural constructions.

• Mosque of Amr Ibn El Aas*
  It is the first mosque in Egypt and Africa, founded in 642 A.D. It represents schools of architecture from different periods.
   

• Mosque of Ibn Tulun*
  Built between 876 and 879 A.D., it is one of the oldest intact mosques in Cairo, characterized by its unique minaret. It is still in use nowadays. Next door is Gayer Anderson House, (ElKretleya), it is an Ottoman-style residence for a British officer, restored and boasts his collection of Islamic art.
   

• A-Nasser, Al-Mansour Qalawun and Sultan Barquq complex*
  A medieval complex of mosques, mausoleums and madrasas (schools) built by three Mamluk Sultans.
   

• Amir Bishtaq Palace*
  (735-740 A.H.)/(1334-1339 A.D.) It was established by Amir Sayef El-Din Bishtaq El-Nassery, it is a unique style in the civil architecture of the Mamluke area.
   

• The Citadel of Saladin (Salah El-Din)*
  Built between 1176 and 1182 A.D. It provides a panoramic view of Cairo from Al Moqattam Hill "the living world spread out close beneath one's feet…"
  The Citadel complex includes the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, "Al Gawhara Palace", The Military Museum and the Citadel outdoor Theatre.
   

• The Mosque and Madrasa (school) of Sultan Hassan*
  A masterpiece of Mamluke architecture, it includes bronze doors inlaid with gold, silver and marble panels. It has the gloriest entrance of the Islamic monuments in Egypt, it is located on Salah El-Din square in El-Qalla'a area.
   

• Al- Azhar Mosque*
  The first Fatimid mosque and the oldest Islamic University in the world, founded in 878 A.D.
   

• El-Hussein Mosque*
  It was established in 549 A.H.-1154 A.D. during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph El-Zaheir Be'amr Allah, it was renewed many times.
  These are not all the mosques, but there are many other mosques in different places and cities.
   

• Antique Houses *

• House, Dome, Sabeel, and Kuttab of El- Ghury.

• Sabeel and Kuttab of Khesro Pasha 942 A.H. 1535 A.D. the only survival Sabeel of the Ottoman era).

• Gamal El-Din El-Zahaby House 1047A.H./1637 A.D.

• El-Harawy House 1144 A.H./ 1731 A.D.

• Sabeel and Kuttab of Abdel- Rahman Katkhoda 1157 A.H./1744 A.D.

• El-Sehemy House: 1211 A.H./ 1726A.D.

• Mohamed Bay Abu El-Dahab House 1188A.H./ 1774 A.D.

• Ancient Cairo Gates: (El-Fetuh, El- Nasr, and Zowyla).

Cairo and Giza Museums

• The Egyptian Museum*
  One of the world's famous museums. It houses 250,000 antique pieces including mummies, sarcophagi and the fabulous treasures of Tut Ankh Amon's tomb.
   

• The Coptic Museum*
  The finest collection of Coptic art and antiquities in the world, including illuminated manuscripts, icons and textiles.
   

• The museum of Islamic art*
  It is regarded as the largest Islamic museum in the middle East, housing 102,000 antiquities ranging from large architectural pieces, rescued from mosques, to ceramics, manuscripts and tapestries dating from the dawn of Islam to the end of Ottoman period.
   

• Domestic Transportation*
  Cairo has a huge network of transportation works all day and night long such as: buses, taxis, trams, trains, metro and car rent companies.