Cairo is an Arab city that enjoys a remarkable standpoint among other cities of the world. It goes deep in the human cultural history. Cairo occupies a unique site that enabled it to exchange culture with other civilizations. Now, it constitutes a cross point of Arab and Islamic cultures. Besides its ancient glories, modern Cairo reflects the great renaissance achieved by Egyptian people.

Cairo is the only city in the world that hosts antiquities of four civilizations: Pharaonic, Romanian, Christian and Islamic.

Pharaonic Cairo

It is a human and urban entity that always moves with life. The site of this city goes back long before it was named Cairo. It started at the west bank of the river Nile, at about 4225 B.C.

Inhabitants of the eastern district of the Delta chose a location that lies a few miles away from the northern part of Cairo. It is the ancient "Oun" town known by Greek as "Heliopolis". Now it is named by Cairenes as "Ain Shams".

That city witnessed the flourishing of astrology, medicine and engineering. It became a significant center to the ancient religions. Revolution of knowledge developed on the Nile banks. Ancient Egyptians could discover the natural phenomena laws. As for agricultural processes, they set the agricultural solar chronology that divides the year into its four seasons with great accuracy.

When "King Mena" ruled Upper Egypt, he successfuly united lower and upper Egypt. Mena established a new capital called "Menf" that lies at about 22 km,away from the south of Cairo. That city was known as "the White Wall" up to the 26th century B.C. Later, Egyptians came to call it "Men Nefer", the same name was changed by the Greek to be "Memphis".

Islamic Cairo

The Islamic era in Egypt was generally the golden age for arts and architecture. Examples of such revival can be seen in the building of several mosques, fortresses and city walls, in addition to the flourishing of decorative arts.

They were most evident in the construction of al-Fustat, the first capital of Egypt, where Amr Ibn el-Aas built the first mosque in the country.

The Nile meter on the island of Rodha in modern Cairo, built by Abbasid Caliph al-Mutawakel Billah in 245 AH, is known to be the oldest Islamic monument in Egypt.

Islamic architecture also flourished mainly in al-Qatay' city and Ahmed Ibn Touloon mosque which was built in the same style of Amr Ibn el-Aas mosque, with the addition of a fountain, minaret, props and the foundation sign board. The minaret of Ahmed Ibn Touloon mosque is known for its unique shape in Egypt that was derived from the Persian temples known as "Zigurat".

The Fatimid period also witnessed the development of local Islamic architecture. Al-Azhar, al-Anwar and Al-Aqmar mosques are famous examples of Fatimid architecture in Egypt.

Al-Geoshi Mausoleum is a model for dome structures and mosques built around the tombs of eminent men of religion.

During the Ayyubid period, further advances were made in the field of architecture. Salah ed-Din's (Saladin's) Citadel still stands out as a lofty, striking example of Islamic architecture. The Mamelukes were no less advanced in this field. They also left behind a great wealth of finely designed and decorated mosques, domes, mystics' houses, palaces, schools, khans (inns), fortresses and public drinking fountains.

Egyptians under Islamic rule adopted the same techniques and styles of art and ornamentation prevailing in the preceding periods.

Most notable arts of this period were wood engraving and ornamentation, assembled dove tailed and lathed wood work. Islamic style textiles, porcelain and stained glass were also widely known during this period.

Modern Cairo

By virtue of all his up-to-date all encompassing reforms, Muhammad Ali is truly considered the founder of Modern Egypt. He encouraged and sponsored men of learning, scientists and artists. He built a powerful army as well as a military academy. A ship building industry was started in Boulaq, Cairo together with a shipyard in Alexandria.

He specially attended to the administration of government affairs. During the first half of the 19th Century, a full-scale economic revival was in full swing. Special attention was given to agriculture and irrigation, where barrages, dams and canals were built.

In industry, Muhammad Ali adopted a policy of dispensing foreign-made products, and creating national factories and plants to meet the needs of the army and the public.
In trade, he sought to provide security for internal trade routes and create a foreign trade fleet. During his reign, trade flourished.

At the same time, Muhammad Ali was enthusiastically interested in spreading education to cater to the government 's manpower needs. Schools of various levels and specialties were built and educational missions were sent to Europe to transfer modern sciences to Egypt.

After his death, Muhammad Ali's successors tried their best to follow his suit by attempting to catch up with European civilization. During the reign of Khedive Ismail, Egypt witnessed an awakening administrative reform, while agriculture, industry, construction and architecture prospered.

His most notable achievement was the establishment of the Opera House, railroads and the Suez Canal which was opened to international navigation in 1869.

During the 19th Century there was a drive enlightenment, rediscovery of the Egyptian power system and development of human wealth. By the end of the century, Egypt witnessed many revolts against the foreign intervention.

The nationalist movement grew stronger and several popular revolts took place. However, the Orabi Revolution (1882 AD) ended up with Egypt being occupied and declared a protectorate by Britain in 1914. Accordingly, Egypt officially broke off from Ottoman suzer