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Cairo is Africa's most heavily populated city and the Arab world's cultural center with a population of over 16 million inhabitants . It is the largest city in the Middle East and despite the fact that only about 1,000 years old, parts of the metropolis date back to the time of the Pharaohs. The Sphinx and the pyramids of Giza, for example, are visible evidence of the Ancient Egyptian civilization around the Nile river. The first Muslim settlement of Egypt was Al-Fustat, now a part of old Cairo. In later years, Cairo was conquered and controlled by a host of invaders including the Mameluks, the Turks, and Napoleon Bonaparte of France. Cairo is a melting pot of East and West, old and new, Muslim and Christian. Minarets compete for space with modern apartment blocks, and cars choke the roads while people and markets fill the maze of narrow streets that form continuous bazaars. Museums hold the treasures of ancient dynasties while other monuments nearby remain in situ. Suggested tours during your stay in Cairo
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The Pyramids of Giza
these amazing structures are the only ancient wonders of the world that still exists. They are without doubt the most famous sights in the world as well as being among the oldest. The site at Giza boasts The Great Pyramid the only monument of from the seven wonders of the ancient world that exists, The Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) , The Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycrinous) and the famous Sphinx. There are also several smaller pyramids known as ‘Queens’. The Great Pyramid houses the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops). |
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Saqqara Memphis & Saqqara Located in Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom of Saqqara, are the sites where many of the kings of the first dynasty are buried. It is an enormous archaeological site encompassing many pyramids and tombs including the Old Kingdom Tombs with their ancient scenes. In addition to these attractions, Saqqara is perhaps most famous for the oldest of all 97 Egyptian pyramids, The Step Pyramid |
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Egyptian Museum The greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities is, without doubt, that of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. It is a place of true discovery housing 120 000 pieces including the treasures which were discovered in in the tomb of the boy king Tutankhamoun. |
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The Citadel of Saladin & the Alabaster Mosque This is a very popular tourist attraction that dates back to medieval times ,12th century AD. It is an enormous stone fort that has been used in many battles and it sits overlooking the city of Cairo. Today, it is home to mosques, palaces and museums including the Alabaster Mosque built by Mohamed Ali the Great which is a replica of Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul.
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Coptic Cairo Visit the Coptic Museum that contains a collection of rare antiquities from one of the earliest Christian communities in the world. Afterwards tour the Church of Abou Serga which dates back to the beginning of the 15th century A.D. It's built in the Basilica style above the cave in which the Holy Family took refuge. visit the Hanging Church that was built in the 5th century followed by the visit of Ben Ezra Synagogue. |
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Alexandria
The Alexandria Library / Museum: this historical library was burnt down in 48 BC during the Alexandrian War . It has been recently rebuilt by the Egyptian government and UNESCO and contains a vast amount of books and scriptures, as well as a marvelous museum. |
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Excursions
