Sights

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Cairo has many sights, enough for a week or two. Here they are divided into sections according to their nature.

Some of the sights you almost cannot afford to miss include the Pyramids (would you consider skipping them?), the Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum. They are the unique remainders of the oldest civilization of the planet.

Try to get a good taste of islamic culture as well by visiting some of the mosques and the old town. Visiting these sights will give you some understanding of the basis of present day life in Egypt. Furthermore the Coptic quarter offers some interesting sights worth exploring. The City of Death is a category apart and merits a visit as well.

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February 28, 2007 change by rfujitani (1 point)

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Coptic Quarter
Graves and Cemeteries
Hotspots

Mosques
Museums

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Ibn Tulun

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Ibn Tulun mosque is one of my favourites. A good example of the classical style of religious buildings in Cairo.

type:	Mosques
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Al Azhar

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Al Azhar Mosque and the university have been the focal point of islamic learning for the last thousand years and continue to be an important centre for islamic studies today. You can visit the university and the mosque and they are good examples of islamic architecture.

type:	Mosques
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Greek Orthodox Cemetery

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Cemetery Coptic Quarter
photo by: Wendy Cuijpers

On the bounders of the Coptic Quarter lies a huge cemetery. Most graves look like small shrines. It's a very quiet place. As always when being in a cemetery, be respectful.

type:	Graves and Cemeteries
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Egyptian Museum

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The biggest sinlge attraction within the city center for tourists is the Egyptian Museum. The sprawling sandstone building on Tahrir Square is packed with antiquities: mummies including the pharaohs Ramses II and III and Seti I, the contents of the tomb of Tutankhamen’s (King Tut) and many many other highlights from the oldest of civilizations. Don’t overlook the excellent collection of Greek and Roman artifacts. You may want to spend more than one day here, or make it in two afternoons.

type:	Museums
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Pyramid of Zoser

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Another famous attraction that is not in Cairo proper is Saqqara site of the Step Pyramid of Zoser and a number of interesting tombs (a doctor’s tomb has depictions of surgical operations and the Serapeum has the now empty tombs of 25 embalmed sacred oxen). Saqqara’s structures are much older than the Giza pyramids and the artwork in the underground tombs is more impressive than what’s seen in the Cheops Pyramid.

The road to Saqqara is a site in itself past date plantations and scenic countryside. Get there early as the sight closes around 3 or 4 pm. Saqqara is more..

type:	Palaces
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al Mu'allaqa

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Mar Girgis - Hanging Chruch - Coptic Cairo
photo by: Sabarinath Iyer

The basilica 'Al-Muaallaqah', meaning 'the hanging church', was built on top of the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon, hence its name. It dates as far back as the 4-th century AD, making it one of the oldest churches of Christianity.

In 2004 a new tunnel under the church used by the early christians to run away in case the church was attacked.

Dont miss the Church with a portrait of Virgin Mary with Infant Jesus. The Benz Ezra Synagoue nearby is worth paying a visit.

type:	Hotspots
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Mohammed Ali Mosque

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Cairo citadel
photo by: Tamar Shavi

Not named after the boxer but after a ruler of Egypt, the Mohammed Ali Mosque in the Citadel of Cairo is one of the finest examples in its kind. Be sure to visit. The citadel itself is also nice.

type:	Mosques
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Museum of Islamic Art

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The Museum of Islamic art has beautiful examples of Medieval art form the Islamic Empire. It is worth a visit for those interested in the culture of Islam or for those who want to get away for a day from Pyramids, Sphinxes and temples. As of April 2005 the musuem was being renovated please check with tourist information before making the trip to the museum

type:	Hotspots
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Coptic Museum

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The museum houses a rare collection of ancient Christian relics including remains of architectural works, textiles, icons and old manuscripts reflecting the history of Coptic civilization. The Museum has an official WWW home page. Click here

Tel (+202)362.87.66

type:	Coptic Quarter
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Papyrus Museum

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The Papyrus Museum explains you everything about this ancient form of paper that was so important for the development of civilization. Beautiful examples of old papyrus documents.

type:	Museums
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Blue Mosque

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The Blue Mosque of Cairo is less impressive than the one in Istanbul, but still definitely worth a visit. Great islamic architecture and a peaceful atmosphere where you can sit and relax and get away from the busy city.

type:	Mosques
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St. George the Martyr

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St. George the Martyr
photo by: Church Archive

One of the more important churches of Coptic Cairo. Amidst a fury of burning candles, art of many different styles, periods and media (metals, oils, and mixed media) you will find depicted scenes from St. George's valiant fight for Christianity. In the nearby Convent of Saint George there was also a dramatic chain ceremony that many people took part in as acknowledgement of the suffering and persecution of St. George and others.

type:	Coptic Quarter
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St. Barbara

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Founded in the 5th Century, the Church was rebuilt in the 10th Century and still retains its wooden door, a magnificent example of fine Coptic art.

type:	Coptic Quarter
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Christian and Judaic sites

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And don't forget, there's also a rich Judaic and Christian history too. You can even visit the site where baby Moses was purported to have been picked up out of the nile.

type:	general
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