cairo

THE HISTORY OF CAIRO

Overview

Cairo is the capital of Arab Republic of Egypt and one of the worldwide capitals in the world traditionally known for its security and peace. The visitor of Cairo will feel spontaneously the spirit of hospitality and intimacy in each part of it.

Cairo has a unique character that combines the excitement, relaxation and spirituality. The Nile River flows out to spread development and life in addition to sunrise and sunset which shine on the surface of water. Cairo Night

 is very romantic and brilliant gives an exclusive test to Cairo with multi-colored lights.  

Area & Population

The total area of Cairo is 1492.3 Km2 and the number of its population according to 2007 census is 7.787.000 whereas the number of great Cairo (Quliobya, Banha and Cairo) is about 20,000,000 represent than the quarter of Egypt population.

Cairo in Pharaonic Epoch

A part of nowadays Cairo was known in the time of ancient pharaohs by name of Nafr (the beautiful city) and throughout history Cairo has been standing as the capital of Egypt since 3200 B.C when king Narmar unified Egypt. Cairo was established on the ruins of other ancient cities; the ancient city of Memphis was established first in the epoch of ancient Egyptian dynasties on the western bank of Nile then Babylon in the Roman epoch on the eastern bank of the Nile.  

Babylon Fortress

Testimonials of Egypt history affirm that Cairo was the capital of Egypt throughout almost epochs (about 50 centuries). Some of historians have urged that Cairo became the capital of Egypt in 98 A.D when Babylon fortress was built which remains still standing until the current time.

Islamic Conquest  

When Amr Ibn El-As conquered Egypt in 641 A.D, established his new Islamic capital in 

El Fostat

 in front of Bayblon fortress. In this time Alexandria was the capital of Egypt but Amr found to change the capital of Egypt from Alexandria to Cairo to avoid any attacks that might happen from Mediterranean Sea.

Cairo founding in the age of Fatimid

Since Fatimid state established in Morocco, they thought to conquer Egypt in the time of ruler Abi El Fadl Gafaar Ibn El forat who was unable to lead Egypt, consequently

 El Moez ledin Allah

 seized this opportunity and equipped to conquer Egypt on July 969 A.D and already entered Egypt without any resistance.

“Cairo” the name which was given to the city established by Fatimid leader Gowher El Sekali in 972, it was called first “El Mansouria” but later caliph El Moaz Ledin Allah called it “Cairo” to be the capital of his state, from that time Cairo became the headquarter of Fatimid state and separated from Abbasid caliphate. Under the rule of El Moaz Ledin Allah, Cairo has witnessed the best renascence in its history as the capital of Fatimid State.

Ayyubid Cairo

When Fatimid state was fallen on the hand of Saladin Al Ayubi in 1171 A.D the Ayybid State was established and elongated for 82 years until 1250 A.D. In this time, new buildings have been established in Cairo such as (El Jabal citadel) built by Bahaa El din Karakosh, Giza Vaults, a new fence surrounded Cairo in 1176 A.D and much more but Saladin died before completing all these buildings.

 

 Mamluks Cairo

In the Mamluks epoch which started in 1250 A.D, Cairo witnessed a wide expansions; new monuments have been established which still standing until now and new areas like what so-called now Bab El Lok in which many knights inhabited.

Cairo in Ottoman Epoch

Cairo has witnessed a new age in ottoman epoch which started after Mamluks defeat in El El Rydania Battle in 1517. Let alone French campaign on Egypt in 1798 which created important maps for Cairo in addition to a number of drawings explained the lifestyle in Cairo included in “Description de l’Egypte” book.

Mohamed Ali Family

In the time of

 Mohamed Ali,

 new horizons have been drawn to Cairo by which testimonials still standing until our current time. The epoch of Mohamed Ali and his family started from 1805 until 1952. The area of Cairo in the time of

 Khedive Ismail

 has reached to 1000 Fadden where El Ismaila (Tahrir Square now) has been added. In 1265 A.D the infrastructure projects were executed such as water distribution inside the country by using pipelines and lighting projects. In the time of Khedive Ismail, Kasr El Nile Bridge has been founded and Giza Zoo on area 30 Fadden in addition to railways lines across the country and for the first time in the history of Egypt recognized Telephone technology. In the Epoch of Khedive Abbass, El Abbassia district has been founded and other districts such as

 El Sayeda Zeinab

 and Helmiaa El Zitoon districts