In this city shrouded in legends, life is in full swing. The Pearl of the East is located in the very center of the intersection of the trade routes of Asia, Africa and Europe. A large metropolis with an extraordinary atmosphere has collected the best achievements that colorful Egypt is proud of.
Cairo is the capital of the ancient state and the main religious center of the Islamic world. The city of contrasts harmoniously combines different cultures, and in order to see the life of a mysterious country from the inside, you need to visit its heart, which fascinates with its special beauty.
Megapolis famous for its attractions
Located on both banks of the Nile, Cairo is famous for its archaeological and cultural monuments, and millions of tourists rush to touch the ancient history of one of the most advanced civilizations in the world. It is impossible to list all city sights in the article. Cairo arose from a small settlement defeated by the military leader Amr ibn al-As. The name of the state capital comes fromArabic al-Qahira, which translates as "victorious".
Extremely favorable position in the Nile Delta has allowed a small town to gradually become one of the most influential and we althy metropolises on the planet. The city, in which luxurious palaces and mosques appear, flourishes every year: the trade in spices and spices, products made of precious metals brings good profits.
City of a thousand minarets
Conditionally, the capital of Egypt can be divided into the Old City and its modern part, which is no different from most cities. There are multi-storey shopping centers and the latest architectural buildings. The historical part of the country's capital is located on the east bank of the Nile, and in the Old City, where you plunge into the atmosphere of the past, you can find a variety of religious sites.
Cairo, whose life is greatly influenced by Islam, stuns foreign visitors with the number of mosques, and it is simply impossible for a tourist to visit them all. Delightful masterpieces of architecture amaze at first sight. The fact is that images of not only human faces, but also all living beings are prohibited on mosques, so the ancient architects expressed their emotions in expressive Arabic ornaments.
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
Ibn Tuluna is the oldest prayer building built in the 9th century. For the first time in architecture, powerful arches were used instead of columns, which gave the building lightness and elegance. Exterior of the mosquestrict enough so that nothing distracts from prayer, and the ornament is devoid of pretentiousness and unnecessary decorations. The unnamed architects have created a wonderful atmosphere of peace that reigns inside the famous landmark.
Cairo is proud of its rich historical heritage and carefully guards it.
The great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha
Another important religious monument of the city is the so-called Alabaster Mosque, built for the king of the country. Lined with white marble, it makes an indelible impression on all tourists. The scale of the magnificent building, the variety of minarets and domes sparkling in the sun, are striking. The Mohammed Ali Mosque, which appeared in the 19th century, is decorated with floral ornaments and gilded inscriptions from the Koran, is protected by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. The main shrine of Muslims consists of two parts - the western (inner courtyard with a fountain for ablution) and the eastern (the mosque itself).
The huge number of crystal chandeliers suspended on chains, giving the building a bright light, is admirable. And to the right of the colorful mosque is the tomb of Pasha Muhammad Ali. One of the main decorations of the city every day receives guests admiring the sophistication of the interior decoration of spacious halls.
TV tower
The Cairo TV Tower is a symbol of the new Egypt. Inside the landmark, visible from anywhere in the city, there is a restaurant rotating on a platform around its axis. With a 187-meter structure,stylized as a lotus stem, the acquaintance of foreigners who arrived in the city begins. This is a very popular place, especially at night. An observation deck is open at the very top, from the height of which you can see the majestic pyramids and admire the magnificence of the Nile. No wonder the ancient poets called blessed Egypt the gift of the River of Life.
Cairo: National Museum
Egyptian Museum, which presents the world's largest collection of art objects of a great civilization, cannot be ignored. Located in the center of the city, it opens its doors to everyone who wants to get acquainted with ancient artifacts: mummies, tombs of pharaohs, pottery, papyri, jewelry from sarcophagi. A real treasury stores thousands of exhibits, and not a single tourist can pass by the city landmark that celebrated its 155th anniversary.
Cairo, which harmoniously combines ancient mosques and luxurious palaces, ancient pyramids and modern skyscrapers, has gone through different eras and changed many rulers. The city of interweaving of several cultures allows everyone to go through the time and history of an immortal civilization that did not reveal many secrets to descendants.
