World Heritage #0089 – Historic Cairo

Last modified 27.03.2022 | Published 03.01.2005Egypt, Middle East and Africa, World Heritage Sites

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Cairo is truly historic. The capital of Egypt has for millennia been at the centre of world history, and there is much to discover here.

The UNESCO World Heritage List includes more than a thousand properties with outstanding universal value. They are all part of the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

 

Official facts

  • Country: Egypt
  • Date of Inscription: 1979
  • Category: Cultural site

UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre’s short description of site no. 89:

“Tucked away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the world’s oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques, madrasas, hammams and fountains. Founded in the 10th century, it became the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century.”

 

My visit

What a hectic city! I started and ended my Egypt vacation in 2005 here in the Egyptian capital, and I could easily have spent more time. Very fascinating. I wrote this in my blog:

“Our first stop was at the Citadel, the medieval fortress on a hill above the city and with the huge Mosque of Muhammad Ali. After this we dropped by the Sultan Hassan Mosque right below the hill, then Ibn Tulun Mosque before paying the Gayer-Anderson House a visit.

The latter was exquisite! Many small and large rooms with collected art objects formerly belonging to a British major. The harem and its living conditions was exciting, with secret windows and shaded roof terraces. “The dream of an orientalist”, my guidebook states.”

Read more about my visit.

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