Activities in Nile Valley

Cairo City Stars Center Egypt tours, booking, prices, reviews

Cairo City Stars center in Egypt indeed is the largest in Africa and Middle East. The center located just ten minutes from International Cairo Airport. In fact, Cairo City Stars center features huge shopping mall, Cinema, hotels, restaurants and amusements facilities. Moreover, the center features over 643 stores to choose from and two indoor theme parks. It also features twenty one screen state of the art cinema. the center features a modern indoor Khan El Khalili and three hotels. Furthermore, it also has a giant exhibition space. It makes the Stars Center in Cairo’s a complex best equipped mall in the region. Hours on end can spent perusing the world renowned brands. There are also local boutiques and retail outlets.

If you look for some peaceful shopping you can drop the kids off at Magic Galaxy. It is where they can ride the roller coaster and drive the bumper cars. They also can play with a selection of over 90 video games as you spend your time shopping. Moreover, Cairo City Stars center includes Intercontinental City Stars Spa. After a tempestuous day in the Cairo, experience the relaxation of a bubbly Spa bath. Let yourself go in the soothing fragrances of natural oils. They will envelop you in an eastern like ambiance. The majestic hotel is a 3,000 square meters temple. It devoted to sport, relaxation and health. The hotel facilities include, among others, a fitness room, a sauna, a Jacuzzi and a Hydro pool.

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Twelve treatment rooms are available for guests wishing to experience massages. They are amazing types of massages on offer as well as a wide range of beauty treatments including LPG. Cairo City Stars center is near to Katameya Heights Golf Resort. It set a new trend in Egypt real estate market. In fact, it located where once there was nothing but a desert. Moreover, it was pioneering vision to turn the desert sand into lush green rolling hills. The resort became the first commercial venture to combine golf and real estate in Egypt. The number of golfers and golf resorts increased since Katameya Heights Golf Resort set the trend in Egypt. The golf Golf Resort features designed golf course, a marvelous clubhouse and luxurious villas.

Katameya Heights Golf Resort area is 1.5 million square meters. It became the first commercial venture combining golf and real estate in Egypt. Visitors encouraged to play from Sunday to Thursday. Cairo City Stars center is near to Mirage City Golf course. It is less than 15 minutes away from Cairo International Airport. In fact, it is next to JW Marriott Cairo hotel. The hotel is in the heart of the prestigious Heliopolis district. Moreover, Mirage City Golf course is for all level golfers. It gives the opportunity to experience a challenging and rewarding Golf game.

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Cairo City Stars center is also near to Katameya dunes Sand surfing site. It is one of the most popular sport in Egypt. It practiced by tourists and Egyptians as well. Take a day trip from Cairo to the Dunes Sand Surfing site and have a pleasure with sand surfing. It located 80 kilometer southwest of Cairo. The sand over there is nice and soft. you can reach good speeds. We have equipment for rent. We also will handle the whole day trip.

Cairo Citadel Egypt tours, booking, prices, reviews

Cairo Citadel indeed is one of Cairo’s most popular tourist attractions. It located on a spur of limestone that detached from its parent Moqattam Hills by quarrying. Moreover, Cairo Citadel is one of the world’s greatest monuments to medieval warfare. In fact, it is a visible landmark on Cairo’s eastern skyline. When viewed from the back side, Cairo Citadel reveals a medieval character. The area where Cairo Citadel located now began it’s life as the “Dome of the Wind”. It is a pavilion which created in 810 by Hatim Ibn Hartama, who was then governor. Indeed this area well known for its cool breeze. In fact, the early governors didn’t realize its strategic importance. However, they used the pavilion for its view of Cairo.

During 1176 and 1183 Salah El Din fortified the area to protect Cairo from Crusaders attacks. Since then, it never been without a military garrison. In fact, it served as both a fortress and a royal city. Legend has it that Salah El Din chose the site for its healthy air. The story goes that he hung pieces of meat up all around Cairo. Everywhere in Cairo the meat spoiled within a day. At Cairo Citadel area, it remained fresh for several days. This location provides a strategic advantage to dominate Cairo and to defend outside attackers. Salah El Din came from Syria. It is where each town had some sort of fortress to act as a stronghold for the local ruler. It was natural that he would carry this custom to Egypt.

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Moreover, Salah El Din used the most modern fortress building techniques to construct Cairo Citadel. Great, round towers built protruding from the walls. The defenders could direct flank fire on those who might scale the walls. In fact, the walls themselves were ten meters (30 ft) high and three meters (10 ft) thick. The Bir Yusuf (Salah El Din’s Well) dug to supply the occupants of the fortress with drinking water. Some 87 meters (285 ft) deep, it cut though solid rock down to the water table. It is not a shaft. There is a ramp large enough. Animals could descend into the well to power the machinery which lifts the water. The well closed to tourists these days.

After the death of Salah al-Din, his nephew, Al Kamel, reinforced the Cairo Citadel. It was by enlarging several of the towers. He encased the Burg al-Haddad (Blacksmith’s Tower) and the Burgar Ramla (Sand Tower). Moreover, he made them three times larger. These two towers controlled the narrow pass between Cairo Citadel and the Muqattam hills. Al Kamel also built some great keeps (towers) around the perimeter of the walls. Three of them can still seen overlooking Cairo Citadel parking area. These massive structures were square, up to 25 meters (80 ft) tall and 30 meters (100 ft) wide. In 1218, upon the death of Al Kamel’s father, Sultan Al Kamel moved his house to Cairo Citadel. It is where he built his palace in what is now the Southern Enclosure.

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In fact, the palace no longer exits. It was the seat of government for the Country of Egypt until the construction of the Abdeen Palace. Mumluks overthrew the Ayyubid rulers in 1250. Their sultan Baybars Al Bunduqdari (1260-77) moved into Al Kamel’s palace. Moreover, he isolated the palace compound by building a wall. It divided the fortress into two separate enclosures. They linked by the Bab (gate) Al Qullah. The area where the palace once stood referred to as the Southern Enclosure. The larger part of Cairo Citadel proper referred to the Northern Enclosure. Al Nasser Muhammad interested with this era. In fact, he ruled during three separate periods (1294-1295, 1299-1309 and 1310-1341). Moreover, he tore down most of the earlier buildings in the Southern Enclosure. He replaced them with grander structures.

Unfortunately, the only remaining facility built by him is the Al Nasser Mohammad Mosque. In fact, it begun in 1318, finished in 1355 and located near the enclosure gate. He built a great Hall of Justice with a grand and green dome. It towered above the other structures in the Southern Enclosure. Beside it built the Qasr Al Ablaq (Striped Palace) with its black and yellow marble. This palace, used for official ceremonies and conducting affairs of state. Moreover, it had a staircase leading down to the Lower Enclosure and the Royal Stables. It is where An-Nasir kept 4,800 horses. The Ottomans controlled Egypt between 1517 and the early 20th century. Much of what we see of Cairo Citadel actually dates back to this period.

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The Lower Enclosure where the stables of Al Nasser known as Al Azeb. It was because some of the Ottoman soldiers, known as the Aazab regiments. These soldiers not allowed to wed until they retired. The word Aazab means bachelor. The Ottomans rebuilt the wall which separates the Northern and Southern Enclosures. It was as well as the Bab Al Quallah. Moreover, they also built the largest tower in today’s Citadel. It is Burg Al Muqattam which rises above the entrance to Cairo Citadel off Salah Salem Highway. In fact, this tower is 25 meters (80 ft) tall and has a diameter of 24 meters (79 ft). In 1754 the Ottomans rebuilt the walls of the Lower Enclosure. He also added a fortified gate called the Bab El Azab.

On the late 16th century, the strict military structure for the Ottoman soldiers deteriorated. During this period, the Aazab troops began to marry. They even allowed to build their own houses within the fortress. By the mid 17th century, Cairo Citadel became an enclosed residential district. Moreover, it became with private shops and other commercial enterprises. It was besides to public baths and a maze of small streets. The Ottoman Mohammad Ali Pasha came to power in 1805. He was indeed one of the great builders of Modern Egypt. Moreover, he was responsible for considerable alteration and building within Cairo Citadel. He rebuilt much of the outer walls and replaced many of the decaying interior buildings. Furthermore, he also reversed the roles of the Northern and Southern Enclosures.

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Moreover, he made the Northern Enclosure his private domain. The Southern Enclosure opened to the public. Mohammad Ali Mosque built in the style called Ottoman Baroque. In fact, it imitates the great religious mosques of Istanbul, today dominates the Southern Enclosure. South of the Mosque in the Hawsh is the Gawhara Palace. Gawhara means jewel. This structure built between 1811 and 1814. Moreover, it housed the Egyptian government until it later moved to the Abdeen Palace. Today there is also the National Police Museum at Cairo Citadel. It built over the site of the Mamluk Striped Palace just opposite the Mosque of Al Nasir Muhammad. Moreover, it has displays of law enforcement dating back to the dynastic period.

In 1983 a hall from the Striped Palace discovered. It buried deep beneath rubble, and can be seen at the southern end of this terrace. The terrace also provides a wonderful view of Cairo. Through Bab Al Qullah in the Northern Enclosure one finds Mohammad Ali’s Harim Palace. The palace built in the same Ottoman style as the Jewel Palace. The statue in front is of Ibrahim Pasha by Charles Cordier. The Palace served as a Family house for the Khedive. It was until the government moved to Abdeen Palace. Moreover, it was a military hospital during the British occupation. It only returned to Egyptian control after World War II. Since 1949, it is the Military Museum of Egypt In fact, it founded by King Farouk. The Museum has many artifacts illustrating warfare in Egypt.

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One of the most interesting attractions is indeed the Summer Room. This room contains an elaborate system of marble fountains and basins. It also has channels meant as a cooling system, and is the last such example in Cairo. In the livery court behind the carriage gate of the museum, there is a statue of Sulayman Pasha. The satatue stood in the city center. Just beyond this museum is a small Carriage Museum in what was the British Officer’s mess until 1946. Just behind this museum is the Burg Al Turfah (Masterpiece Tower).

Burg Al Turfah is one of the largest square towers. It built by Al Kamel in 1207. Near the far end of the Northern Enclosure is the Sulayman Pasha Mosque. The mosque was the first Ottoman style mosque built in Egypt and dates back to 1528. In fact, it built to serve the early Ottoman troops. Today Cairo Citadel is one of Egypt main attractions. It is often the most popular non-pharaonic monuments. One may walk through time here, from the medieval era onward. Many other wonderful Islamic structures are nearby. A walk from Cairo Citadel to Khan El Khalili is indeed a delightful experiences.

Blue mosque Cairo Egypt tours, booking, prices, reviews

Blue Mosque Cairo also called Aqsunqur Mosque or the Mosque of Ibrahim Agha. In fact, the mosque is one of several “blue Mosques” in the world. In fact, it situated in the Tabbana Quarter in Islamic Cairo. Moreover, it is between Bab Zuweila and the Citadel of Saladin (Cairo Citadel.) Aqsunqur Mosque also serves as a funerary complex. Furthermore, it contains the mausoleums of its founder Shams Al Din Aqsunqur and his sons. Aqsunqur Mosque also contains number of children of the Bahri Mamluk sultan Al Nasser Muhammad. It also contains Ibrahim Agha Al Mustahfizan tomb. Aqsunqur mosque in Cairo built in 1347. It was on the orders of the prince Shams Al Din Aqsunqur. In fact, it was during the Mamluk Sultanate of Al Muzaffar Hajji.

Aqsunqur was the son-in-law of former sultan Al Nasir Muhammad. He was one of the more prominent emirs of the latter’s court. Al Maqrizi was Medieval Muslim historian. He noted Aqsunqur supervised the entire project and also participated in its actual construction. Being the former governor of Tripoli, he had the mosque built in a Syrian architectural style. It built around the late sultan Al Ashraf Kujuk’s mausoleum. In fact, it constructed in 1341. The mausoleum’s incorporation within the mosque accounts for the irregularity of the building’s structure. Aqsunqur’s grave also located in Blue mosque complex along with those of his sons. A mausoleum for Al Sultan Shaaban’s mother built in 1362. She was one of Al Nasser’s wives and mother of sultan Kamal Shaaban.

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In fact, Blue mosque Cairo was reportedly in poor shape in 15th century. In fact, it was due to the loss of waqf funds from Syria. Waqf is religious endowments. Because of that, Aqsunqur mosque used only for Friday prayers and religious holidays. In 1412 an ablution fountain built in the center of the courtyard. It was by the Mamluk Amir Tughan. In fact, the prince Ibrahim Agha Al Mustahfizan was a general of the Jannisaries. He began a major renovation project for Aqsunqur mosque. It was Between 1652 and 1654 during Ottoman rule. He restored its roof and arcades. Moreover, he added columns to support the mosque’s southern prayer hall. He decorated the building with blue and green tiles. Hence the mosque’s unofficial name as the “Blue Mosque”.

The tiles imported from Constantinople and Damascus. They crafted in the Iznik style with floral motifs. Floral motif are such as cypress trees and vases holding tulips. Ibrahim Agha built his mausoleum and decorated it with marble tiles, in the southern hall. Moreover, it constructed using the typical Mamluk architectural style. It included a mihrab “prayer niche” resembling the mausoleums of Mamluk emirs. It also located in the Aqsunqur mosque complex. The Blue Mosque Cairo renamed after its restorer to Ibrahim Agha Mosque. The latter name not used frequently. In 1908 the mosque restored by the Comité de Conservation des Monuments de l’Art Arabe.

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The 1992 Cairo earthquake damaged the arches of the mosque’s porticoes. But they reinforced by the Egyptian government in the mid-1990. It was to prevent extra deterioration. Aga Khan Trust for Culture abbreviated as (AKTC). It is with the World Monuments Fund began a restoration project of the mosque in 2009. The AKTC stated the restoration would finished in 2012. Renovation work would focus structural stability, conservation of the interior and roof repair. Aqsunqur mosque Cairo also became a major destination for tourists who visit Egypt. Blue mosque Cairo general layout consists of a large open courtyard (sahn). It enclosed by four arcades (riwaqs.) There are three main entrances with the main portal opening into the western arcade. The latter consists of a large pointed arch with corbels on the front edges of its roof.

Facing the courtyard is the dikka “tribune” from which the Qur’an recited. Kujuk’s mausoleum situated at the portal’s northern side. It has two facades facing the street. Of the two alternative entrances, one opens into the southern arcade. The other opens between the northern and western arcades. Kujuk’s mausoleum predates the Blue  mosque Cairo. Unlike other tombs in Cairo, it not aligned according to the qibla. Qibla is orientation with Mecca. Instead, it aligned with the street. This structure is the principal feature unique to other major mosques in Egypt. Above the prayer hall sits a brick one-bay dome carried on four brick squinches. A large brick dome supported by brick squinches also situated atop the mausoleum of Kujuk.

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The latter has a pendentive below each squinch. Two stone domes located over the mausoleum of Tankizbugha. Another stone dome built above the tomb of Al Sultan Al Sha’ban’s mother. The mosque’s interior also has an irregular layout due to Ibrahim Agha’s renovations. It replaced most of the original cross-vaulting of the arcades with columns. They support a flat wooden ceiling. Qibla wall uses cross-vaults that rest on octagonal-shaped piers. The technique of cross-vaults is a reflection of Islamic Syrian architectural influence. Along with the Mosque of Amir Al Maridani, Aqsunqur Mosque has a hypo-style plan which is rare in Cairo. It associated with Syrian style mosques.

The mihrab (prayer niche that indicates qibla) built in a geometric interlace style. It found in Mamluk architecture. The design used in the mihrab’s spandrels. Other features of the mihrab include the hood’s relief painted carvings. They include fluctuating lintel panels and marble panels, carved marble registers and mosaic inlay. To the right of the mihrab is the marble minbar “pulpit”. The pulpit decorated with light gray and salmon. It is green and plum-colored stone inserts. It is the oldest and one of the handful remaining marble minbars used in a Cairo mosque. The handrail also built of marble. It also has a pattern of rolling leaf and grape clusters carved from the stone.

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The minaret situated at the southern corner of the facade. They are looking into Bab Al Wazir Street. They are affording a dominant view of the entire southern part of the street. It consists of three stories. The first being circular and plain. The second circular and ribbed. The top story is a bulb resting on a pavilion supported by eight slender stone columns. Its circular shaft is rare among Mamluk minarets. Before its 20th-century restoration, the minaret had four stories. The third story was octagonal and removed during the restoration. The Aqsunqur mosque minaret featured in several 19th-century illustrations.

Biahmu Fayoum Egypt tours, booking, prices, reviews

Biahmu Fayoum in Egypt is 7 km north of the capital of the vast Oasis of Fayoum. In fact, Biahmu is the the site for the famous pedestal itself. Indeed it is not near a road today. To get there, you should walk through the thick vegetation. You also should do through shaded areas and span many irrigation ditches. The remains of two large stone pedestals once supported colossi of Amenemhat III. They stand just north of the small village of Biahmu. In fact, the two large pedestals are somewhat ruinous, but essentially complete stone. Moreover, they are light yellow in color. They now partly supported by Department of Antiquities bricks. In fact, the walking to al-Sanam village is pleasant.

The fresh, soft and sandy color of the pedestals stand about 100 meters apart. It presents an attractive contrast to the rich green of the fertile surrounding countryside. How Much more striking the scene was thirty-eight centuries ago. In fact, each of the pedestals surmounted by a majestic red quartzite. It seats the colossus of Amenemhat III. The Pedestals maybe stood about the same height as they do now. In fact, it is about 8 meters and the colossi towered a further 13 meters. Each Colossus and pedestal surmounted by an enclosure wall. The wall is of the same solid blocks as the pedestals.

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In the thirteenth century AC, Nabulsi saw the two colossi almost intact. One faced West and the other faced the East. In fact, the persistent rumors of hidden treasure led to the removal of their tops. The colossi however, solid and yielded nothing but their dignity. In 1888, Professor Petrie removed many fragments. He passed them on to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford which now holds forty-seven pieces. The best preserved is the nose of one colossus. It is on display in the museum’s Egyptian Sculpture Gallery. Other fragments apparently left in site by Petrie.

In fact, these disappeared, and now no trace of the colossi remains at al Sanam. The purpose of the colossi not agreed upon. It is unusual in Egypt to find statuary so completely isolated. That is why they explained as markers of a harbor on the ancient lake Moeris. They marked as a special monument to the great achievement of Amenemhat III in the province. Moreover, they somehow related to the main temple of Sobek at Kiman Faris, 6 kilometers away. Christopher Kirby carried out new studies on the site in the 1990. He believes that the enclosure walls represent open-court and solar temple. In fact, the polished quartzite statue of the pharaoh would shine brilliantly in the sun

Beni Hassan tombs El Minya, Egypt tours, booking, prices

Beni Hassan tombs are an important group of rock-cut tombs. In fact, Beni Hassan tombs located in a small village which holds the same name in El Minay, Egypt. El Minya is a big city which located about 224 kilometer south of Cairo. Moreover, the tombs carved into the high limestone cliffs on the east bank of the Nile. In fact, the tombs date back to Dynasties XI and XII. Moreover, there are a few smaller and less elaborate ones which belong to Dynasty VI. In fact, it was when provincial rulers establish their independent power.

Beni Hassan tombs reached via a long steep flight of stone steps up the hillside. Moreover, it is from where there is a magnificent view up and down the Nile Valley. The most important of the tombs belonged to provincial rulers of the 16th Upper Egyptian Nome. The tombs feature 39 tombs on the upper part of the cliff. In fact, only 12 tombs decorated. Moreover, only four of the tombs currently opened to the visitors. It is along with another tomb which not decorated tomb. In fact, these tombs features the distinctive style of mortuary art characteristic. They are of the early Middle Kingdom with their painted scenes. In fact, the scenes are of daily life, recreation and military activities. The location of the cemetery on the east bank of the Nile is somewhat unusual.

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In fact, the west of Beni Hassan tombs site was the domain of Osiris. Furthermore, the necropolis recorded by several early explorers. Moreover, between 1890 and 1894 the site of the tombs surveyed by Percy Newerry. In fact, it was on behalf of the Egypt Exploration Fund. John Garstang excavated some of the Dynasty VI to Dynasty XII of the tombs. In fact, it was during 1902 to 1904. Nina de Garis Davis copied wall-scenes in 1931. In the early 1980 some of the Dynasty XII tombs cleaned of their grime. In fact, it was by the Egyptian Antiquities Organization. Moreover, the Egyptian organization restored the wall paintings to their original bright colors.

Tomb of Baqet III at Beni Hassan tombs:

The tomb of Baqet III is the earliest of Beni Hassan tombs which are open. In fact, Baqet was the provincial governor of Menat Khufu (modern El Minya). It was during the later years of Dynasty XI. A large rectangular cult chapel lies behind the plain tomb facade. Moreover, it is with two slender lotus columns. In fact, the columns separate the front part of the chapel from the rear. The north wall of the tomb has many painted scenes which depict Baqet and his life. In fact, his life was in the provincial community. Furthermore, the scenes also include the desert hunt with many types of animals. Moreover, the scenes also include industrial scenes of weaving and spinning. They also include goldsmiths and sculptors which mingled with scenes of country living.

In fact, the scenes also include hunting and fishing in the marshes. Moreover, the scenes also include catching birds and gathering papyrus. Battle scenes shown on the east wall, along with wrestlers. In fact, they seem to be a feature of the decoration in tombs in this period. The south wall depicts more traditional funerary scenes. In fact, it is with the deceased’s statue which dragged on a sledge to the tomb. Moreover, it accompanied by offering-bringers. In fact, it also includes recreational scenes of sports and playing senet. There is also a small L-shaped statue chamber in the eastern side of the south wall.

Tomb of Khety at Beni Hassan tombs:

Khety, also a Dynasty XI governor, was the son of Baqet. The architecture of his tomb is like that of his father’s. Moreover, the tomb features six slender closed lotus pillars in the rear part. The east and north walls of the tomb decorated with scenes. In fact, the scenes depict the fowling and the papyrus harvest. Moreover, the scenes also depict hunting in the desert and local industries below. Khety and his wife shown presiding over the activities. Moreover, they watch women dancing and playing games. Clappers, dancers and musicians shown before Khety’s statue. Moreover, they dragged on a sledge.

On the east wall there are long scenes of men who practice unarmed combat or wrestling. The movements can seen easily because the bodies painted in contrasting shades. Towards the left-hand side, battle scenes show a fortress under siege. In fact, it is with piles of slain bodies towards the right-hand side. The south wall contains agricultural scenes including wine-making, ploughing and processions of colorful cattle. The funeral rites also depicted with the traditional boats. Moreover, there also offering-bringers and butchers on the west wall.

Tomb of Amenemhet at Beni Hassan tombs:

The tomb of Amenemhet, who called Ameni, dates back to Dynasty XII. In fact, the tomb is a little more elaborate than the earlier tombs. The tomb-owner’s biographical text dated back to year 43, month 2 of the season of inundation. Moreover, it also dated back to day 15 of Senusret I’s reign. Amenemhet was the last holder of the hereditary title. In fact, the title was “Great Overlord of the Province of the Oryx”. The architecture of Amenemhet’s tomb differs from the earlier style. In fact, the tomb has a courtyard and a portico with two columns. The columns are before the entrance to the tomb chapel. In fact, the tomb chapel is large and rectangular. Moreover, it contains four wide polygonal pillars and two burial shafts.

An decorated ceiling divided into three naves, each with a vaulted roof. The wall-paintings contain themes like to the earlier tombs. The paintings features agriculture and industries and hunting in the desert scenes. Moreover, the scenes also include military activities and funeral rites with offering-bringers. A large offering list appears across the top of the south wall. In fact, it is before Amenemhet who sits with his wife at a table. The table contains all the produce of his lands. These later tombs also contain a small statue chamber, to the east beyond the tomb chapel. Furthermore, the tomb house the remains of a statue group. In fact, the statue depicts the owner with his wife and mother, with an offering table in front.

Tomb of Khnumhotep II at Beni Hassan tombs:

In fact, Khnumhotep II was a successor of Amenemhet. Moreover, he occupied one of the latest of the Middle Kingdom tombs which built at Beni Hassan. Although he was a provincial governor, his power was less than that of his predecessor. In fact, the Middle Kingdom government of Egypt became stronger. His titles include “Hereditary Chief” and “King’s Acquaintance”. Moreover, his titles also include “One who Beloved of his God’. The tomb has four polygonal columns in the tomb-chapel. In fact, they are behind the impressive facade and portico. The same themes continued in the wall decoration too. But in fact, the scenes are more colorful and lively. They make the tomb perhaps the most interesting and distinctive of the Beni Hassan tombs.

On the north wall there is a famous scene. In fact, the scene depicts a caravan of Asiatics in their striped robes. They bring gazelles and other items to trade. Two especially beautiful scenes dominate the east wall which depict Khnumhotep with his family. Moreover, they depict fowling and snaring birds in the marshes in a papyrus skiff. In fact, the tomb features autobiographical text which well preserved. Moreover, the text can seen running along the base of the walls and painted to simulate granite. The tomb also has statue chamber behind an elaborate doorway. In fact, it is on the east side of the tomb-chapel. Moreover, it contains the lower part of a statue of the deceased.

How to get to Beni Hassan tombs:

The tombs located on the east bank of the Nile, about 20 km south of El Minya. Moreover, the site of the tombs features a new rest-house. In fact, this rest house recently constructed and serves good coffee. Moreover, the tombs site has a ticket office at the entrance to the site. Tickets of Beni Hassan tombs cost 80 Egyptian pound. Photography no longer allowed inside any of the tombs.

Genena Mall Cairo Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Genena Mall Cairo indeed is one of popular and attractive shopping center in Egypt capital. In fact, Genena Mall Cairo offers indeed a unique Shopping experience that you will never forget. The mall located in the heart of Cairo at Nasr City district. Moreover, it features GLA about 22,000 square meters. The shopping center offers a full range of shopping, leisure and entertainment. Furthermore, the mall features about 300 international and local brands. They including department, fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics and home furnishing stores. It also has kids & Family entertainment area. It offers a 6 screen multiplex cinema and Skating rink.

Genena Mall Cairo food court offers amazing variety of food. It also offers special coffee shops and restaurants. The Shopping center has car care and parking. There’s an impressive collection of restaurants distributed among the 5 floors of the mall. They include some are McDonalds, Chili’s and Sbarro. They are among other snack places, cafes, and Middle Eastern venues. The mall has a bank and 2 ATM. A pharmacy is available on the 2nd floor. In fact, the mall is near to City Stars Shopping Mall. It features over 643 stores to choose from and two indoor theme parks. It also features twenty one screen state of the art cinema. Cairo City Stars center a modern indoor Khan El Khalili and three hotels. It also has a giant exhibition space. It makes the Stars Center in Cairo’s a complex best equipped mall in the region.

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Hours on end can spent perusing the world renowned brands. There are also local boutiques and retail outlets. If you’re looking for some peaceful shopping you can drop the kids off at Magic Galaxy. It is where they can ride the roller coaster and drive the bumper cars. They also can play with a selection of over 90 video games as you spend your time shopping. So if you didn’t find what you are looking for in Genena Mall Cairo, the second option is available. The mall is also near Virgin Mary tree. Virgin Mary tree is an old sycamore tree. It is under which the Virgin Mary used to rest. It was while taking refuge in the village of Matareyya during the Holy Family’s flight in Egypt. The original Virgin Mary tree which lasted till 1890 is now dead.

Another tree grew by itself in the same place after that died. The current green tree grew on its own and stands today. You can visit this holy place before to go amusing in Genena Mall Cairo. The mall also near to Intercontinental City Stars Spa. After a tempestuous day in the Cairo, experience the relaxation of a bubbly Spa bath. Let yourself go in the soothing fragrances of natural oils. They will envelop you in an eastern like ambiance. The majestic hotel is a 3,000 square meters temple. It devoted to sport, relaxation and health. The hotel facilities include, among others, a fitness room, a sauna, a Jacuzzi and a Hydro pool. Twelve treatment rooms are available for guests wishing to experience massages.

Great Pyramid Giza Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Great Pyramid Giza Egypt also called Khufu Pyramid. It also known as Cheops Pyramid. In fact, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the greatest pyramid among all pyramids in Egypt. How the Great Pyramid of Giza built, is a question that may never answered. Herodotus said that it took 30 years and 100,000 slaves to build Great Pyramid of Giza. Another theory says it built by peasants. They were unable to work the land while the Nile flooded between July and November. They maybe paid with food for their labor. The flooded waters also aided in the moving of the casing stones. In fact, these stones brought from Aswan and Tura. The water brought the stones right to Great Pyramid of Giza.

In fact, the Great Pyramid of Giza built between 2589 – 2566 BC. Moreover, it took over 2,300,000 blocks of stone with an average weight of 2.5 tons each. The total weight was 6,000,000 tons and a height of 482 feet (140 m). In fact, the Great Pyramid of Giza indeed is the largest and the oldest of the Pyramids of Giza. Not much known about Cheops (Khufu) who built the Great Pyramid of Giza. The tomb robbed long before archaeologists came upon it. Any information about him taken with the objects inside the tomb. Though he was ruler of a structured society and he must have been wealthy. Khufu buried alone in this massive tomb. Moreover, Cheops wives maybe buried nearby in smaller Mastabas.

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The encasing marble which covered the outside of the Great Pyramid of Giza eroded or removed over time. With this casing off, the Great pyramid of Giza lost 33 feet (11 m) of all its dimensions. Moreover, the top platform of the Great Pyramid of Giza is 10 m square. The base of the Great Pyramid of Giza is 754 feet and covers 13 acres. Furthermore, the original entrance to the Great Pyramid of Giza was about 15 m. In fact, it is higher than the entrance which used today. Al Mamum, who opened up the new passage, could not find the original opening. The new passageway leads straight across. Moreover, it joins in with the original passage, the descending passage. The descending passage led only to a subterranean chamber. This descending passage which leads down, set at a 26 degree angle.

Moreover, it descends down 345 feet (105 m) into the earth under the Great Pyramid of Giza. The passageway is only 3’6″ (1.1 m) wide and 3’11” (1.2 m) high. The chamber closed to the public. Moreover, the chamber itself is room that measures about 46′ x 27’1″ x 11’6″ (14 x 8.3 x 3.5 m). There is a passage that leads 100 feet to the western side. The purpose of the pit is uncertain. It is possible that it could be the burial chamber, but after a change of plan, it abandoned. The descending passage beyond where the new entrance meets it, closed off by a steel door. Furthermore, the ascending passage rises at the same angle as the descending, 26 degrees. The ascending passage leads up into the Great Pyramid of Giza. Moreover, the ascending passage is the same dimensions as the descending.

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It can be quite a difficult trek for some people. The passage leads on for 129 feet (39 m). At the point where the ascending passage levels off, you can go two different ways. If you continue on horizontally, this passageway leads into the Queen’s Chamber. In fact, the Queen’s Chamber never used. The floor in this room never polished, it’s still rough. Egyptology guides believe that the chamber brought to this point. And then, the builders changed their minds and moved to the King’s Chamber. There is a possible explanation for the abandonment. It is that the sarcophagus built for Cheops was much large for the narrow passageways which built. Moreover, there are ventilating shafts that are another mystery. These shafts sealed at the extremities on both shafts. The shafts must made as Cheops pyramid went up.

It is since the builders most likely not continued to make the shafts. In fact, it was after the decision to abandon the chamber. It also thought that these are not actually ventilation shafts. Moreover, they are more of a religious significance. This could related to the Ancient Egyptian’s beliefs. They believed that the stars inhabited by gods and souls of the dead. The second is more spectacular. It is the way at the leveling off point of the ascending passage. In fact, it was to continue upwards to the Grand Gallery. The gallery is 157 feet (48 m) long and 28 feet (8.5 m) high. It is at the same 26 degree angle as the passages. The roof of the gallery corbel-ed. It said that not a piece of paper or a needle can inserted between the stones making up the roof.

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The gallery is only 62 inches (1.6 m) wide at the bottom. Moreover, it is only 41 inches (1 m) wide at the top of the incline. The Grand Gallery leads into the King’s Chamber. The walls of the chamber made of pink Aswan granite. Inside this chamber is the large sarcophagus which made of Aswan red granite, with no lid. The sarcophagus must placed inside the chamber as the Great Pyramid of Giza built. It is much too large to move in afterwards, as was the usual custom of that time. The King’s Chamber is 34’4″ x 17’2″ x 19’1″ high (5.2 m x 10.8 m x 5.8 m high). This chamber also has the possible ventilation shafts as the Queen’s Chamber. They are at the same angle as the shafts in the Queen’s Chamber. The thought about the religious significance applies to these shafts as well.

The main feature of the sky at night, was the Milky Way. The stars thought to have been the Nile in the sky. The southern shaft from the King’s Chamber points to where Orion’s Belt in the ancient sky. The southern shaft of the Queen’s Chamber points to Sirius. The northern shaft of the King’s Chamber points to the circumpolar stars. These stars never disappear in the sky. It thought that these shafts were to help the spirit of the dead Pharaoh find the important stars. Above this chamber is a series of five relieving chambers. In fact, they are essential to support the weight of the stones above. They are also to distribute the weight away from the burial chamber. The top chamber has a pointed roof made of limestone blocks. This is the most important of the relieving chambers.

Around Cheops Pyramid (Khufu Pyramid):

In these chambers, found the only inscriptions in the whole Great Pyramid Giza Egypt or Cheops Pyramid. As you come out of Khufu pyramid you can see the remains of the original enclosure wall. It is on the north and east side. It lies about 10 m from the base of Cheops pyramid. Little remains of Cheops’ Mortuary Temple. What left is basalt paving and lies near the east side of the wall. You may also see occasional traces of the causeway. It leads from the valley temple in the village, Nazlat al-Samman, at the foot of the plateau. This causeway collapsed during the last 150 years. Three small pyramids stand to the east of Cheops pyramid. These thought to have been for his sister, Merits. She was also his wife and possibly two other queens. To the west of the Cheops pyramid or Khufu Pyramid is the Royal Cemetery. It contains 15 Mastabas.

Great Pyramid Giza Egypt recently opened to the public after closed for over 100 years. Discovered at this site was the mummy of a 4,600 year old female. She had a completely unique plaster encasement. It has never seen or found anywhere else. At the base of the south face of the Cheops Pyramid, sits the Boat Pits and museum. The five boat pits discovered in 1982. One boat located at the site and can seen at the museum. The boat, which encased in the stones, has no nails. It held together with ropes and pegs, but not nails, and is intact. The purpose of these boats may have intended for travel to the after-life. They maybe also are or to go with the Sun-God on his journey.

Hanging Church Cairo Egypt tours, prices, booking

Hanging Church Cairo Egypt indeed is Cairo’s most famous Coptic church. In fact, it first built in the 3rd or 4th century AC. The church known as El Muallaqa church and it is Virgin Mary’s church. In fact, the church named for its location above a gatehouse of Babylon Fortress. Babylon Fortress is Roman fortress in Old Cairo. Its nave suspended over a passage. Moreover, The church approached by 29 steps. Early travelers to Cairo dubbed it “the Staircase Church”. The land surface has risen by some 6 meters. It is since the Roman period. The Roman tower buried below ground. It reduces the visual impact of the church’s elevated position. The entrance to the church from the street is through iron gates. In fact, it under a pointed stone arch.

The nineteenth century facade with twin bell towers seen beyond a narrow courtyard. Moreover, it decorated with modern art biblical designs. Up the steps and through the entrance of Hanging Church Cairo, is a further small courtyard. It leads to the eleventh century outer porch. In fact, the church built in Basilican style. Furthermore, it built during the patriarchate of Isaac (690-92). An earlier church building may have existed elsewhere dating as early as the 3rd or 4th century. An earliest mention of the church was a statement in the biography of the Patriarch Joseph I (831-49). It was when the governor of Egypt visited the establishment. Hanging Church rebuilt by the Pope Abraham (975-78). There are many other restorations including one recently.

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The objects of historical interest that were no longer of service went to the Coptic Museum. By the 11th century AC, The Hanging Church served as the Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria. In fact, it based in Alexandria, Egypt. The ruling powers moved away from Alexandria to Cairo. It was after the Arab invasion of Egypt during Pope Christodolos’s. Cairo became the fixed and official house of the Coptic Pope at The Hanging Church Cairo in Cairo in 1047. Infighting between Abu Serga church and the church broke out. It was due to that patriarch’s desire. It was to consecrated in the church. In fact, The church has 110 icons. The oldest of them dates back to the 8th century and most of them date back to the 18th century.

Nakhla Al-Baraty Bey gave some of them as gifts in 1898. It was when he was the overseer of the church. The iconostasis of the central sanctuary made of ebony inlaid with ivory. Moreover, it surmounted by icons of Virgin Mary and the Twelve Apostles. The main altar screen of the Hanging church Cairo also made of ebony inlaid with ivory. Furthermore, it carved into segments. It shows several Coptic Cross designs that date back to around the 12th or 13th century. Over the altar screen the central one of which Christ seated on the Throne. In fact, it lies a long row of seven large icons. Moreover, on one side, the icons of the Virgin Mary, Archangel Gabriel and St. Peter lined up. On the other, icons of St. John the Baptist, Archangel Michael and St. Paul.

Great Sphinx Giza Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Great Sphinx Giza Egypt is a huge creature with the head of a human and a lion’s body. In fact, the Great Sphinx of Giza Egypt sits in a depression. The depression is to the south of Khafre’s pyramid at Giza. The Sphinx statue is the first colossal royal sculpture in Egypt. It is a national symbol of Egypt, both ancient and modern. Moreover, it stirred the imagination of poets, scholars, adventurers and tourists for centuries. It also inspired a wealth of speculation about its age, its meaning, and the secrets that it might hold. The Sphinx word means strangler. It first given by the Greeks to a fabulous creature. It is which had the head of a woman, the body of a lion and the wings of a bird.

In Egypt, there are many sphinxes. They are usually with the head of a king wearing his headdress and the body of a lion. There are sphinxes with ram heads that associated with the god Amun. The Great Sphinx is to the northeast of Khafre’s (Chephren) Valley Temple. It is where it sits was once a quarry. Khafre’s workers shaped the stone into the lion and gave it their king’s face over 4,500 years ago. Khafre’s name also mentioned on the Dream Stele, which sits between the paws of the great beast. No one is certain about the fact the face of Sphinx. Recently, it has argued that Khufu maybe also had the sphinx built. Khufu is the builder of the Great Pyramid.

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The sphinx indeed is the most immense stone sculpture which ever made by man. Moreover, it is not an isolated monument. It must examined in the context of its surroundings. The Great Sphinx is a complex which consists of the great statue itself and an old temple. It also consists of a New Kingdom temple and some other small structures. Great Sphinx related to Khafre’s Valley Temple. Khafre’s Valley itself had four colossal sphinx statues. Each is more than 26 feet long. The material of the sphinx is the limestone bedrock. It is of what geologists call the Muqqatam Formation. Moreover, it originated fifty million years ago. It is from sediments which deposited at the bottom of sea waters.

An embankment formed along what is now the north-northwest side of the plateau. Nummulites are small and disk-shaped fossils. They named after the Latin word for ‘coin’, pack the embankment. These were once the shells of now extinct plank-tonic organisms. There was a shoal and coral reef that grew over the southern slope of the embankment. The ancient Egyptians built the sphinx from Carbonate mud. It deposited in the lagoon petrified into the layers fifty million years ago. They trenched out a deep, U-shaped ditch. This is to isolate a huge rectangular bedrock block for carving the Sphinx. This enclosure is deepest immediately around the body. It is with a shelf at the rear of the monument. It left unfinished. A shallower extension to the north where important archaeological finds have made.

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There are hard limestone lays around the Sphinx’s head. It was all quarried for blocks to build the pyramids. The limestone removed to shape the body of the beast. It employed to build the two temples to the east of the sphinx. There is one in front of the paws. The other to the south of the first one. They are on a terrace lower than the floor of the Great Sphinx of Giza Egypt enclosure. The quarrying around the original knoll revealed rock. It was too poor in quality for construction. Some visionary individual conceived of the plan to turn what left of the knoll into the Sphinx. The Sphinx may well have planned from the start for this location, good rock or bad. The walls of the sphinx enclosure are of the same characteristics.

The strata of the sphinx body and exhibit similar states of erosion. The bedrock body of the Sphinx became a standing section of the deeper limestone layers of Giza Plateau. The lowest stratum of the Great Sphinx of Giza Egypt is the hard and brittle rock of the ancient reef. It referred as Member I. All the geological layers slope about three degrees from northwest to southeast. They are higher at the rump of the Sphinx and lower at the front paws. The surface of this area has not weathered compared to the layers above it. Most of the Sphinx’s lion body carved into the Member II. The body parts are the south wall and the upper part of the ditch. It consists of seven layers. They are soft near the bottom and harder near the top. The rock actually alternates between hard and soft.

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The head and neck of the sphinx made of Member III. It is better stone, though it becomes harder further up. The Great Sphinx of Giza Egypt faces the rising sun with a temple to the front. It resembles the sun temples which built later by the kings of the 5th Dynasty. The lion was a solar symbol in more than one ancient Near Eastern culture. The royal human head on a lion’s body symbolized power. It controlled by the intelligence of the pharaoh or ma’at. Its symbolism survived for 2500 years in the iconography of Egyptian civilization. The head and face of the sphinx reflect a style that belongs to Egypt’s Old Kingdom.

The form of the Great Sphinx face is broad. It is almost square with a broad chin. The headdress has fold over the top of the head. It has triangular planes behind the ears. Moreover, it has presence of the royal ‘uraeus’ cobra on the brow. It also has treatment of the eyes and lips. They are all evidences that the Great Sphinx of Giza Egypt carved during this period. The sculptures of kings Djedefre, Khafre and Menkaure show the same configuration on the Sphinx. Some scholars believe that the sphinx bearded with the sort of plaited beard. Pieces of the Sphinx’s massive beard adorn the British Museum in London. They are also in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The rounded divine beard is an innovation of the New Kingdom.

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According to Rainer Stadelmann, did not exist in the Old or Middle Kingdom. It may have added to identify the god with Horemahket. There is a hole in the top of the head. It now filled in. It once provided support for extra head decoration. The top of the head is flatter than later Egyptian sphinxes. The body of the sphinx is 72.55 meters in length and 20.22 meters tall. The face of the Great Sphinx of Giza Egypt is four meters wide and its eyes are two meters high. The mouth is about two meters wide. The nose would have been more than 1.5 meters long. The ears are well over one meter high. Part of the Uraeus (sacred cobra), the nose, the lower ear and the ritual beard are now missing. The eyes have pecked out.

Below the neck, the Great Sphinx has the body of a lion, with paws, claws and tail. The tail curled round the right haunch. It sit on the bedrock of the rocky enclosure out of which the monument has carved. The enclosure has taller walls to the west and south of the monument. It keeps with the present lie of the land. When viewed close-up, the head and body of the Sphinx look well proportioned. Seeing from further away and side-on the head looks small in relation to the long body. In its undamaged state, the body is likely to have appeared still larger all around. It is in relation to the head which has not reduced as much by erosion. The human head is on a scale of about 30:1. The lion body is on the smaller scale of 22:1. There could be many of explanations for this discrepancy.

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The sphinx maybe sculpted to look its best when seen from close by. It is while and more or less from the front. There is also the possibility that there was insufficient good rock to make the head. The fissure at the rear of the Great Sphinx maybe dictated a longer body, rather than one much too short. There are three passages into or under the Sphinx, two of them are of obscure origin. The one of known cause is a short dead-end shaft behind the head drilled in the nineteenth century. No other tunnels or chambers in or under the Sphinx known to exist. Many small holes in the Sphinx body may relate to scaffolding at the time of carving. The figure buried for most of its life in the sand.

It was King Thutmose IV (1425 – 1417 BC) who placed a Stela between the front paws of the figure. On it, Thutmose describes an event, while he was still a prince. He went for hunting and fell asleep in the shade of the sphinx. During a dream, the sphinx spoke to Thutmose and told him to clear away the sand. The sphinx told him that if he did this, he would rewarded with the kingship of Egypt. Thutmose carried out this request and the sphinx held up his end of the bargain. Of course, over time, the Great Sphinx of Giza Egypt found itself buried beneath the sand. When Napoleon arrived in Egypt in 1798, the sphinx buried once more with sand up to its neck. The nose had been missing for at least 400 years.

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Between 1816 and 1817, the Genoese merchant, Caviglia tried to clear away the sand. He only managed to dig a trench down the chest of the statue and along the length of the fore-paws. Auguste Mariette is the founder of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. He also attempted to excavate the Sphinx. Moreover, he gave up in frustration over the enormous amount of sand. He went on to explore the Khafre Valley Temple. Furthermore, he returned to the Great Sphinx to excavate in 1858. Between 1925 and 1936, French engineer Emile Baraize excavated the Sphinx. It was behalf of the Antiquities Service. The great beast once again became exposed to the elements. In fact, the sand has been its savior. It is since built of soft sandstone. The Great Sphinx of Giza Egypt crumbles today because of the wind, humidity and the smog from Cairo.

The rock was of poor quality here from the start. It fissures along joint lines and dated back to the formation of the limestone millions years ago. There is a particularly large fissure across the haunches. It nowadays filled with cement. Moreover, it also shows up in the walls of the enclosure. It is in where the Sphinx sits. Below the head, serious natural erosion begins. The neck weathered by wind-blown sand. The stone here is not quite of such good quality as that of the head above. Erosion below the neck does not look like scouring by wind-blown sand. In fact, so poor is the rock of the bulk of the body. It deteriorated since the day it carved out of the stone. In fact, it needed repairs on more than one occasion in antiquity. Today, there is much of the work on the Great Sphinx.

Giza Zoo Cairo Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Giza Zoo Cairo Egypt indeed is one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. In fact, it is the most inhabited by the various animal and plant species. Moreover, Giza Zoo Cairo area is about 80 acres. The zoo located near the west bank of the Nile. Its northern tip overlooks Cairo University. The zoo not far from Cairo Downtown and it linked to it by many buses. In fact, it is under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture in Egypt. Khedive Ismail was the ruler of Egypt from 1863-1879. He supposed to open Giza Zoo on the occasion of the inauguration of Suez Canal. It was in 1869. He could not do so because the lack of time. On March 1891, the zoo opened for the public.

Giza Zoo Cairo Egypt distinguished for its rare imported plants and walks. They paved with colored pebbles. Moreover, they set in beautiful mosaic pictures. Giza Zoo also distinguished for its streams, lakes and bridges. It also does for hilly habitats for the various animals that it houses. These hilly areas planted with cactus trees and the rare cactus fruit. Egypt’s moderate climate helped to preserve the lives of animals from different regions. There is no need to use air conditioning for cooling or warming. Giza Zoo Cairo is indeed a huge exhibition of African wild life. It is a habitat for many species of animals and birds which are now extinct in Egypt. They restored to their original environments from which they were extinct. Among these are mountain goats, rams, Egyptian gazelles and heron.

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Giza Zoo Cairo comprised of five hilly areas. The greatest called the Citadel Hill which constructed in 1867. Moreover, it decorated with various statues of the extinct Fayoum rhinoceros, crocodiles and strange Birds. Its plateau covered with a small park that could reached by means of a spiral path. The zoo comprises plant covered walks. It has many of streams. There is a hall in its center as a resting place. It also has various statues of Birds and reptiles. They made of cement and pebbles. The streams flow through caves with white coral reefs. They hanging down, into waterfalls that lead to a lake with two islands. They connected with a wooden bridge.

In front of the lions’ house at Giza Zoo Cairo Egypt, there are two artificial hills. They connected with a rare iron suspended bridge. In fact, it is the only one in Egypt. Besides to many animals in the garden, there is a museum which built in 1906. In fact, it consists of three big halls. The halls exhibit large groups of Egyptian and foreign embalmed Birds. They also exhibit reptiles, fish and animals as well as skeletons.

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There are also two other halls exhibiting various kinds of animals, reptiles, and Birds. An embalming factory located behind the museum for such purposes. Giza Zoo Cairo is also an institute where scientists study the behavior of animals and Birds. There are five non governmental organizations. They carry out campaigns to encourage people to preserve wild life. They also promote environment awareness in Egypt.