Cairo Squares.. Key to City’s History

Squares in Cairo date back to the Islamic era and “Ahmed ibn Tulun” is believed to be the first person who pioneered the building of squares in Egypt.

He built a square in front of his palace in Al-Qata’i city and extended it from El -Sayeda Nafisa to Salah El-Din Square.

During the Fatimid and Mamluk era, a bunch of squares were built and “Bin El-Qasrin” square was the most vibrant place in the city.

Some of Egypt’s most famous squares in the past:

* Berket El-Fil Square:

The square used to be horse stables, when Prince “Zain El-Din Kitbugha” ruled Egypt. He built this square to walk through it instead of El-Zahri square.

* Ibn Tulun square:

It was built by Ahmed Ibn Tulun and it is considered as the first square in Islamic Egypt. It was a great view decorated with a golden pond.

Tahrir Square

* King Abdel Aziz Square:

It used to be a charming garden built by King El-Aziz Ibn Salah El-Din.

* El-Ikhshid Square:

It was built by Prince of Egypt Abu Bakr El-Ikhshid.

* El-Qasr Square:

It is called “Khoronfish” was built during the Fatimid period.

* El-Salhi Square:

It was built by Sultan El-Saleh Ayoub; it has a lovely view overlooking the Nile.

* El-Zahri square:

It was close to Bab El-Louq and it used to be El-Zahir Baybars’s private park until king El-Nassir came and turned it to an orchard.

* El-Mahary Square:

It was built by Sultan El-Nassir Mohamed Ibn Qalawun for horse.