To experience an authentic collection of artistry, take a journey down the Nile River to Cairo. Pyramids, mosques, churches, artefacts and crafts spanning millennia are spread across the metropolis. Each creation is a reflection of a moment in time. Greeks, Romans, Christians, and Muslims have all left their mark here. But although Cairo was established as the capital of Egypt in the 10th century, the history of this region dates back even further.
Over 4 500 years ago, the Pyramids of Giza were constructed, and today are the only Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that remain. Archeologists are still unsure of how they were built and new discoveries only add to the mystery. In 2017, it was announced that a previously unknown void or chamber was identified in the Great Pyramid through the use of muon particle detectors. The largest of the three Giza pyramids, the Great Pyramid was built for the Pharaoh Khufu in preparation for the afterlife.
While Khufu’s mummy has never been found, his likeness can be deciphered in a 7.5 centimetre statuette at the Egyptian Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of pharaonic artefacts. With over 100 000 items on display, dating from prehistoric times to the Graeco-Roman era, it features jewellery, sarcophagi, and objects from Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Throughout Cairo, remnants of its rich past are reflected in the architecture. The Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo was built upon the gate of a Roman fortress, giving the impression of being suspended. It contains 110 religious icons including the “Coptic Mona Lisa”. Among the churches here is also the first mosque in Egypt and Africa, the Amr ibn Al-A'as Mosque. Cairo is known as the city of a thousand minarets for its prolific places of worship. The Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan itself covers nearly 8 000 square metres of land. At the citadel, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali is an extravagant testament to the former pasha, with its marble cladding and ornamental dome ceilings.
Immerse yourself in contemporary culture at Khan el-Khalili market, where merchants have gathered since the height of Islamic rule in the 14th century. This bazaar is a commotion of shops and restaurants that will heighten your senses. Smells of perfumes and coffee waft through the air while vendors negotiate to sell their goods, from lanterns to traditional rugs. As much care has been bestowed upon these creations as the pyramids and mosques that have shaped Cairo. Here, art is an act of reverence.
