Top 5 Historical Attractions to Visit in Egypt

Egypt has been the home and battleground for a lot of dynasties, empires, kingdoms, and states. Each of them left their mark on the African country, and the echoes behind them became part of the city’s rich tapestry. The remnants of those times or the ancient historical monuments remind people of what Egypt’s great culture has been through and who influenced the historical events.

The Hanging Church

The Hanging Church complex in ancient Egypt may not be the oldest in Egypt, but it is still very old, and probably the best known in the Middle East and African content.

It’s remarkable because of the way in which the church was constructed. The iconic church is constructed using logs of palm and layers of stone, its ceiling a replica of Noah’s Ark. The Hanging Church is considered one of Egypt’s most unique feats of architecture—a mix of fresco and finesse—saturated with religious sanctuaries. Notably, the church is open to tourists and the public.

Ibn Tulun Mosque

Ibn Tulun Mosque, named after Sultan Ahmed Ibn Tulun, who was the founder of the Tulunid dynasty in Egypt and the first Muslim governor of Egypt to annex Syria, is an elegant white stone structure surrounded by prayer places that together cover many acres of land. There are many beautiful structures and iconic gates spread throughout the open areas, and the best time to roam around here is in the evening when the memorial is lit up with numerous lights.

There are five prayer niches at the mosque, five of which are flat as opposed to the main concave niche. It indicates the direction of qibla.

As we know, it is cited as one of the oldest mosques in Egypt as well as the whole of Africa, surviving in its full original form, and is the largest mosque in Cairo in terms of land area. It is built around an open square courtyard that allows natural light to travel through it. Ibn Tulun Mosque features the ancient architectural styles of Egypt; its decorations are created from carved stucco and wood. Without any doubt, this mosque is a popular tourist attraction.

El Moez Street

This iconic heritage site is one of the most famous historical forts and landmarks in old Cairo. It is an archaeological treasure known for its magnificent architecture, magical light effects, and imposing structure. The fort’s mosques, colossal mud walls and incredible venues are worth seeing.

Giza Pyramids

Giza Pyramids were declared as one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Located on the western banks of the Nile River, this massive building was built by Pharaohs.

Near the Giza Pyramids, you can find the Great Sphinx by the Chephren One, the head of a pharaoh with a lion’s body that dates from the time of Chephren.

Later on, you can proceed to visit the Valley Temple, which belongs to the Pyramids of Chephren.

According to Egyptologists, this ancient temple served definitely two functions: first, it was used for the purification of the mummy of the king before its burial. Second, it was used for the mummification process of the king.

Bab Zuweila

This gateway is considered to be one of the most famous landmarks in Egypt. It was actually built as an entry and exit point during the Fatimid period but now has become a favorite spot for locals and tourists. Several tourists visiting ancient Cairo prefer to book a stay around the vicinity of the Gateway of Zuweila and Hussein quarter.