Reasons to Visit Egypt if You Love Architecture

Have you just seen the tall avenues and beauty of Dubai and now you are planning a direct trip from Dubai to Cairo? It is the best idea and even the best time to admire the architectural beauty of Cairo.

The largest city in Arabia and the capital of Egypt are both known for their stunning architecture. Cairo is the most unusual and intriguing place to visit thanks to its pyramids. Along the Nile River, the city was prosperous. Downtown Cairo is located on one side of the river; it is a modern area with a posh hotel and a stunning skyline that includes the Cairo skyscrapers. With its mosques and palaces crammed into little alleyways and spectacular citadel complexes, the old, Islamic Cairo on the opposite side of the city presents an entirely different picture of the metropolis.

Cairo is an interesting city to visit since it is home to the Giza Pyramids, one of the seven wonders of the world.
Here are ten architectural wonders that will inspire you to travel to this city. Also, you will get an idea of where to start and journey around Cairo to meander in the structural beauty of Cairo.

1. The Great Pyramids of Giza

The enormous pyramids of Giza are known to us all from architectural history. For many years, these pyramids have been standing as imposingly as previously. One of the best and greatest architectural wonders of all time is these pyramids. In Fact, these are the best architectural shapes that inspire every architect with their precise geometrical shape and use of math in producing these shapes which is still not achievable in today’s society.

2. Nilometer

Another such architectural marvel is the Nilometer, a device used to gauge the level of the Nile. It has tremendous internal space and is relatively large in terms of occupancy for the area. This came into effect in the 19th century. This apparatus consists of measurement markings and a centre column. All the way down to the tank where the river water is flooded, there are stairs. The existing conical roof is a more recent addition that has been lavishly decorated using highly precise geometry. The small opening in the roof brightly lit up the whole interior. Despite being smaller than other structures, it is a must-see location in Cairo because of its creativity and geometric beauty.

3. Ibn Tulun Mosque

This is totally built of well-fired bricks, which are coated with stucco. It is really impressive how this mosque was built in a traditional manner. The courtyard, which is surrounded by the Comunidade arcade and has a flat roof the same width on three sides, is decorated with geometric patterns. A more expansive arcade in the direction of Qibla or Mecca lies towards that side. By the end of the 13th century, Mamluk Sultan Lajin constructed a fountain with a dome in the middle of the courtyard that was formerly covered in sabil.

4. Al-Hakim Mosque

The mosque was constructed in the eleventh century and is still standing today with a simple design. When lighted by sunshine, the marble floor and light cream interior soften the room’s stark whiteness and give it a cosy hue, making it a perfect setting for reflection and peace. The mosque is also notable for its western minaret other than the natural light interior. 

5. Mosque – Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

The structure, which is regarded as one of the greatest examples of Mamluk architecture, tells a lovely tale through its elaborate embellishment and repairs. The mosque’s distinctive minarets and its facade, which faces north, are two of its most recognisable features. The interior’s exquisite marble work is a delightful sight and a priceless memory of the local artisans’ skill.

6. Sabil of Abd Al-Rahman Katkhuda

Sabil Qutab is a two-tiered square structure with a fountain on the first level and space for a school on the upper level. Rich mend of Mamluk and Ottoman architecture, this jaali structure perfectly creates a comfortable environment without the use of mechanical ventilation.

7. Muhammad Ali’s sabil

At one point, there were over 300 high-quality sabils, which contributed greatly to Ottoman architecture. Today, however, the majority of them have crumbled. Sabil by Muhammad Ali is a superb work of art that endures strongly in the present. The building is a palette of rich mends of Turkish patterns or motifs, hanging with wooden eaves and sumptuous etched with marble facades.

8. Alabaster Mosque or The Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha

The Great Mosque, which was built in the Ottoman architectural style, is located in Cairo’s Citadel. When you enter the city from any direction, the mosque of Mohammad Ali Pasha is the first landmark you see. Planned at around 41 meters by 41 meters square, the mosque with its two-levelled dome would make your neck upraise as you pass, and you will look like an ant under this coloured architectural marvel.

9. Abdeen Palace

 One of the sections of the Abdeem palace, which once served as the president of Egypt’s house, is now thought of as a museum. It was created by a French architect and serves as a reminder of European design in an unfamiliar setting.
The ornamental interiors display Turkish, Italian, and hints of French design. The garden of Abdeen Palaces also has a semi-structure with rich ornamentation that was carved over time, so it is not just limited to the major buildings.

10. All Saints’ Cathedral

The modernist architect served as an inspiration for All Saints Cathedral. It is a concrete structure. and includes a lotus-like dome-shaped structure that sits at the crossroads of the cross-floor plan. The dome’s interior is just as picturesque as its exterior side. The Oscar Niemeyer-designed Cathedral of Brasilia is unmistakably reminiscent of Thai architecture.

Hope these places would definitely hark you back to times of Egyptian culture and you will enjoy your trip to Cairo!