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Cairo City tours 3 nights / 4 days
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
Arrival at Cairo airport, assistance during entry visa formalities.
Transfer and overnight in the hotel in Cairo.
Day 2:
Pyramids, Sphinx, Sakkara and Memphis
After
breakfast, departure from the hotel towards the Pyramids of Gizeh
and the Sphinx.
From
Gizeh, we continue to Sakkara and Memphis. At the end of the
day we return to the hotel. In the evening we take you to a dinner on a
cruise boat on the Nile, where a delicious buffet and oriental
entertainment is waiting for us. Overnight in the hotel in Cairo.
Day 3:
Egyptian Museum, Citadel, Mohamed Ali Mosque
In the
morning we visit the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel of Saladin
and Mohamed Ali's alabaster Mosque. During the afternoon, we walk
in the streets of Khan El Khalili's bazaar. Overnight in the hotel
in Cairo.
Day 4:
Departure from Cairo
Transfer to the airport in Cairo and return flight.
Price includes:
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3
nights
hotel 3* in Cairo
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Meals:
Breakfast
at the hotel, lunch (local restaurant)
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Transfert sur place
en minibus climatisé avec chauffeur
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Transfers on the spot
by
private air-conditioned minibus, with driver
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English
speaking guide
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All
taxes
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Entry
fees
for the sites
Price excludes:
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No of guests |
Our Special Rates |
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2
Guests |
145
$ per person |
Gates to the Ancient City of Cairo
Bab El-Metwali in the Painter's
best imagination
Cairo was called the citadel or tabia or forte, i.e. stronghold. It looked
like a square; 1200m2 in length and 1100m2 in width. It was surrounded
with El Bahr El Azeim (the great sea) from the east, the gulf from the
west, from the north gardens extended to Mataria and the mount Gabal El
Guishi from the south.
When the Fatimid reign (969-1171) settled in Cairo under the leadership of
El Moez Li-Dinellah it was called "Cairo of El Moez" because they
decorated its four suburbs with luxurious buildings, delightful spots and
gardens. This increased its delightfulness and beauty. It was the
settlement of rulers and princes.
El Fostat city was big and important due to plenty of buildings, many
people and much of livelihood means, that is why Gawhar El Sakaly was so
keen on it. He established the fortified gates (bab) and installed them
around it in the four-sided wall. He built El Kantara at Bab El Shairia
Street. He also built a wall to quickly surround the Palace. But this was
destroyed completely.
Multi purposes
Those gates did not only defend the country against enemies, but were
built also for management and administrative purposes. No one was allowed
to enter Cairo or stay there except for its residents, or those who go in
for certain reasons and in daytime only.
Al-Khayameya street leading to Bab Zuweila
The prince of armies, Badr El Gamali, in 1087, built Bab El Fetouh, Bab El
Nasr and Bab Zuweila - all were built of storeys. Cairo gates at that time
were eight on each side.
Saladin El-Ayoubi built the third wall in 1171. He wanted to surround
Cairo, Misr El Kadeima Citadel with one wall extended from Bab El Kantara
till Bab El Shairia, from Bab El Shairia to Bab El Bahr, from El Makasi
Citadel at the end of the northern wall to the River Nile beside El Makasi
Mosque. Saladin wished that this wall would join with the one from Bab El
Nasr to El Zafar Tower, then on to Bab El Barkia, then Bab El Wazir.
Unfortunately, all such dreams did not come true, due to Saladin's death.
Some of Cairo Gates still exist and others are no more.
Bab El Bahr
Bab El Bahr was one of the outside Cairo gates at the end of its northern
wall from the western side.
Bab Al-Wazir street
It was built in 1174 by Bahaa El Din Qaraqush, Saladin's Minister, to
defend the capital and surround all of it to the eastern Nile bank. It was
destroyed during the reign of Mohamed Ali.
It was known as El Makashi Gate or El Makasi, because it was located in El
Makas village, that was called El Makesen and then called Bab El Bahr, as
it overviewed the Nile, then was called Bab El Hadid. It was situated at
the entrance of El Bahr Street from the Ramsis Square.
Bab El Barkia, 1st gate
It was established by Gawhar El Sakaly, when the first wall was
established. It was called Bab El Ghareeb. It was destroyed in 1936 and
replaced by Al Azhar University.
Bab El Barkia, 2nd gate
It was built by Saladin in 1184 in the eastern Cairo wall which was
located in the Eastern Desert with the aim of widening Cairo from the
eastern side.
El Bab El Gadid
It was established in 1170 in the eastern wall overlooking the desert. It
was situated at a distance of 150m south of El Zafar Tower. It was the
third gate and it still remains in the eastern wall between Bab El Barkia
and Bab El Makhrouk.
Bab El Husseinia
It was built on the head of the road that connected between Bab El Fetouh
of El Geish Square which is known nowadays as El Husseinia Street and El
Bayouin Street. This gate was destroyed in 1895.
Bab El Khalk
It was at the head of the road that joined Bab Zuweila and Bab El Khalk
Square known nowadays as Taht El Rabie Street.
This gate was established at the days of King Negm El Din Ayoub in 1241.
At first, it was called Bab El Kharek, but the word was considered
improper and was disapproved of.
As this square was passed by many people, so the Organization Department
replaced this word in the era of Khedive Ismail and called it Bab El Khalk
which is nowadays known as Ahmed Maher Square.
Bab El Khoga
Bab El Khoga was one of Cairo gates on the western wall towards El Kadi
Mosque at Zein El Abedeen Square in El Nahrein Street, but it vanished.
Bab Darb El Laban
Its history goes back to the 14th Century. It is said that it was owned by
a Mamlouk. It was a beautiful gate, ornamented with marble and
miscellaneous knots.
Bab Zuweila
It was built by armies leader Badr El Gamali in 1092 in the western wall.
It was one of the largest Cairo gates. It was set on the head of El Moez
Li-Dinellah street from the western side.
Above it there were minarets of El Moayed King mosque. It was called El
Moayed Bahr or Bab El Metwali.
Bab El Ser, El Jabel Citadel
It was a gate especially made for the entrance of VIP princes and high
State officials, such as ministers and clerks. Nowadays, it is known as El
Wastani Gate.
It is exactly situated in the middle gate that separates the general
marine gate of the citadel from the court in which El Naser Mohamed Ibn
Qalawoun Mosque existed and Mohamed Ali Mosque in the Citadel.
Bab Seada
It was one of the old Cairo gates in the western wall, that is parallel to
El Khalij El Masry. It was established by Gawhar at the time of building
the first wall. It is related to Seada Ibn Hayen, the son of El Moez Li-Dinellah.
Bab El Selsela, El Jabel Citadel
It is known nowadays as Alarab Gate. It overlooked El Jabel Citadel. It
had large minarets. In the past, it was known as El Estabel Gate.
Bab El Shairia
It existed in the Northern wall of Cairo and was built by Saladin, west El
Khalig El Masry at the distance located between El Khalij and Bab El Bahr.
It was located in Al Adawi Square at the head of Suk El Garayer before
enlarging the above-mentioned square.
It was open from the outside to El Adawi Square off El Zaafarani, El Adawi
and El Fagala streets. All these are roads located outside the eastern
wall in Cairo, in which Bab El Shairia existed. This gate was removed due
to a crack in 1884.
Bab El Ghory
This gate was located in the middle of Khan El Khalili market place. It is
still there with the same engravings and writings. It was established upon
the command of Prince Konswa El Ghory. It is a giant gate, very high,
ornamented with decorations.
Bab El Fetouh
It was established by Gawhar El Sakaly, and renewed by Badr El Gamali in
1087. It consisted of two rounded towers. The entrance was in the middle,
and at both sides of the towers there were two windows; around their
openings ornaments consisting of small columns.
Bab El Nasr
It was established by Gawhar El Sakaly, and renewed by Badr El Gamali in
1085. This gate is considered one of the remaining Islamic monuments. Its
front consists of two squares with sculptures of swords and shields.
In the middle of a very huge door there is the name of the builder and
date of building above. The stairs reach to the highest door, a building
of stone with knots which is considered the first of its kind in Islamic
architecture.
Bab El Wazir
It is one of Cairo outside gates in the last wall that was established by
Saladin at the distance located between El Maherouk Gate and El Jabel
Citadel. It was opened by Minister Negm El Din Mohamed, known as the
Minister of Baghdad at a time.
He was Minister to King El Mansour Mohamed Ben Kalwori in 1341, that is
why it is called Bab El Wazir. There is also Bab El Wazir Street and Bab
El Wazir Cemetery. It still exists uptil now.
Bab Khan El Khalili
In 1511 Prince Seif El Din Jerkes El Khalili, in the age of King El Zaher
Barqouk in the 14th Century, wanted to build a distinct gate. He chose the
remaining of El Zaafran Cemetery. Sultan El Ghoury ordered destroying the
distinct gate and rebuilt it.
It is known today as Wekalet El Cotton. Despite the changes that took
place in El Khan, its entrance still remains with its decorations and
writings. El Ghoury established two large gates teemed with ornaments. El
Ghoury's name and titles are still there.
Khan El Khalili is the place where tourists coming from all the world to
visit Egypt frequent. It is a gathering spot for the original crafts and
arts of Cairo.
Bab El Tawfik
It was located at a distance of 10m west of Saladin's eastern wall on the
remaining of Badr El Gamali wall (1097). Some historians say that this
gate was established instead of the old Bab El Barkia.
Bab El Farag
It is not traceable at present. It was located in the southern Cairo wall
at the hall where the tomb of Set Seada is situated in the western side of
the Security Building in Ahmed Maher Square.
Bab Qayet Bei (Cemetery)
It was established in 1494, situated at the end of El Sayeda Aisha Street
on the western side. It is called Qayet Bei Gate after King Ashraf Qayet
Bei who renewed the present gate and also named El Sayeda Aisha Gate.
Bab Qasr El Selehdar
It was established in 1347 in Souk El Selah. It is located near El Gay
Youssefy School. It is one of the remaining palaces which were built by
Prince Meng El Selehdar. It is full of decorations and writings around the
covered dome of the entrance, indicating the name of builder and his
titles.
Bab El Qela
It was located in one of the interior walls of the eastern nothern section
of El Jabel Citadel. The wall was separating between the hall that was
behind the general gate of the Citadel and the sultan floor.
In this hall, the princes used to sit and wait until they were permitted
to enter.
It was known by this name, because there were high towers built by El
Zaher Bebers. They were destroyed by King El Mansour and a dome built
instead, then this dome was destroyed by King El Naser Mohamed Ben Qalawon.
The gate was renewed.
Bab El Qantara
One of Cairo gates that was established by Salah El Din El Ayoubi in 1173
on the eastern edge of El Khalij.
It is known as Bab El Qantara, because it is situated towards El Qantara
which was built by Gawhar El Sakaly on El Khalij.
This gate was destroyed. Its present place is in the beginning of the
street called Bab Shairia that is connecting between El Khalij Street and
Amir El Geioush Street.
El Bab Al Akhdar
It was established of a block of engraved stone. It is 5.85m high and
6.65m wide. It is parallel to the El Hussein Mosque from the northern
west. It is the only Fatimid monument existing of the tomb of El Hussein
that was built to keep in his head put in a silver box.
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