Islamic Cairo is the historical centre of the city. It was built before the Downtown Architectural Complex, located in the middle of the modern part of the city and extends north, south and west towards the Giza Pyramids. When the Fatimids captured Egypt in 969 BC, they built a new capital north of the old capital, and this city became the centre of the Caliphate government.
The modern part is called Cairo, which is the name of this new city. Later, Fustat, the first Islamic city in Egypt, was burned in 1168 to prevent the Crusader armies from capturing Cairo.
Islamic Cairo is a living reminder of the city’s past, even though it is no longer in the centre of it. Most ancient walls have fallen, but the city’s historic streets still contain hundreds of beautiful monuments and mosques.
A big part of what makes Islamic Cairo special as a historic district is how lively it is. Although Cairo was quickly built up with palaces and government buildings when it was first planned, the city’s inhabitants moved within the walls in the 12th century and haven’t left since.
Although the style is falling apart and the buildings are old, Islamic Cairo is still one of Cairo’s most densely populated areas. Millions of Egyptians pass by it daily as they go about their daily lives.
It cannot be very safe to go to Islamic Cairo. It is a vast area and includes the old Fatimid city, the neighbourhoods south of the Citadel of Saladin, and the Mosque of Ibn Tulun. You can find dozens or even hundreds of places of different sizes and importance on these tiny streets. It is also still a busy commercial area, another part of this problem.
The main places to see in Islamic Cairo:
Shariat al-Muizz al-Din, which runs between Bab al-Futuh and Bab Zuweila, the entrance to the original Fatimid city, houses the most important historical sites in Islamic Cairo. Many Fatimid and Mamluk buildings were built on this street, which was the city’s main thoroughfare. The Palace Walk, a book by Naguib Mahfouz, is named after this street. The area between Bab al-Futuh and Khan al-Khalili in the north has just been repaired. This is one of the most beautiful spots in the city. The Qalun complex is by far one of the most impressive buildings in the town. It would be easy to spend a day and evening in Khan El Khalili, a famous market from the 15th century.
In 2011, restoration began on the street’s northern side from Al-Ghouriya Complex to Bab Zuweila. Near Khan, al-Khalili is the famous Al-Azhar Mosque, which the Fatimids built in 972 BC. It is part of the district of one of the oldest universities in the world, which remains an important place for Islamic thought.
Some of the city’s most beautiful and important buildings are in the southern part of Islamic Cairo. The Ayyubid general Saladin (Saladin) began building the Cairo Citadel in the 12th century. It was the seat of local government until the nineteenth century when it was moved to Abdeen Palace in central Cairo.
Today, the castle has excellent city views and several museums about the Egyptian army and police. Also inside are three critical mosques. The oldest Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque was built in 1335 in the Mamluk style, and the Suleiman Pasha Mosque was built in 1528 after the Ottoman Empire took control of Egypt. The Ali Al-Marmar Mosque is a vital addition named after the man believed to be the father of modern Egypt.
Below the castle is the Sultan Hassan Grand Mosque, which the Sultan built with the same name in the fifteenth century AD. This large building was constructed as a madrasa, a religious school, and it contains some of the most beautiful architectural details ever seen in any mosque.
It was also damaged over time because it was used as a military fortress during political turmoil due to its proximity to the castle. The Citadel and the Sultan Hassan Mosque are approximately equidistant from the Ibn Tulun Mosque, and this is the largest and oldest mosque, built in 872 AD.
And because it was built in the Abbasid era, when people from Iraq ruled Egypt, it has a strong structure that shows the style of architecture in Samarra. Although it is not one of the most popular tourist spots, it is worth seeing the unique style of its inner courtyard.
Also within the walls is the Gayer Anderson Museum, a 12th-century mansion carefully restored by a British colonial officer in the 1930s. It’s close to the Citadel, the Sultan Hassan Mosque, and the Ibn Tulun Mosque, making it easy to visit all three in one day.
A newer part of Islamic Cairo is Al-Azhar Park. For hundreds of years, people in Cairo dumped rubbish outside the city walls, creating a giant mountain of waste over the city. In the 1990s, the Egyptian government initiated a plan to restore the area and turn it into a beautiful green space. Al-Azhar is now a 74-acre park in a city that needs more green spaces.
This beautiful area has a fantastic view of the city from its lawns, gardens and ponds.
There are also lovely restaurants and cafes. You can see the sunset from this park and hear prayers from thousands of minarets. This is an unforgettable experience.
