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Visiting the magnificent religious buildings will make you feel the spiritual vibes of this city : Alabaster Mosque, Sultan Hassan Mosque, the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagog. Loose yourself in El Moez street and the medieval, but still operating, souk of Khan El Khalili. No doubt that the Islamic and Coptic Cairo will deep you straight into the Middle Ages.
Travel back to time by visiting the medieval district of Cairo. Start your day with a prodigious sample of Ottoman architecture : the Alabaster mosque. You can’t miss this building majestically standing on the summit of the hill El Mokattam so that you can admire its overlayed domes and great minarets. Constructed by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848 as a tribute to his oldest son who died in 1816, Alabaster mosque is mostly made of limestone which plausibly comes from the Pyramids of Giza. The first floor and the forecourt are tiled with the emblematic white alabaster, which gives its name to the mosque.
Once you proceed inside, you can admire the main dome, with a diameter of 52 meters it will not fail to impress you.
Visit one of the most beautiful and impressive historic construction of the Mameluke epoch : Sultan Hassan Mosque. It’s an islamic complex composed of a mosque and a madrassa where the 4 Islamic schools of thought used to be taught.
Proceed to the coptic part of the city and pay attention to Ben Ezra Synagogue. Famous for its Geniza, this temple is believed to have been built where Moses was found by Pharaoh’s daughter when he was a baby.
Hanged above the gate of the old Babylon Fortress, the Hanging church seeks to be admired. Proceed inside this holy edifice and examine the 13 pillars the whole nave stands on. It’s believed that the pillars symbolize Jesus and his 12 apostles, and the darker one represents Judah.
Stroll along El Moez street and admire the beautiful buildings : madrassas (Koran schools), mosques and traditional houses. You might visit one of them, Bayt El Suheymi. You will probably find in your way many young Egyptians looking for the perfect selfie.
Then, make your way through the streets of Khan El Khalili. Built in the 14th century this souk is still the first choice for all locals who want to buy gold. Spices, gold, soap, handmade souvenirs… you can find almost anything here. And in the case that one merchant can’t provide you what you are looking for, he will be happy to find you a seller who can. Need to go back home with a souvenir : Khan El Khalili is the ideal place for that !
You will be escorted back to your hotel.
