Historic buildings in Cairo

Historic Buildings and Monuments of Cairo

This collection highlights Cairo's architectural evolution from the 10th-century Fatimid foundations to 19th-century royal estates. Key sites include the 1183 Salah El Din Citadel and Al-Azhar, the city's oldest mosque. The list features diverse structures, including the Alabaster Mosque's Ottoman minarets, Mamluk-style complexes, and fortified gates like Bab Al-Nasr. It also encompasses grand presidential residences such as the Abdin and Heliopolis palaces alongside historic Coptic monuments.

Salah El Din Citadel

Salah El Din Citadel was completed in 1183 and throughout its history, this fortification not only protected the city but it also served as…

El Azhar Mosque

Established in 972, Al-Azhar represents the oldest mosque and the oldest operating university in Cairo with more than thousand years of…

Mosque of Muhammad Ali

Also known as the Alabaster Mosque, this mosque with two minarets is one of the most popular landmarks in the city.

Saint Virgin Mary's Church

Visiting this famous monument of Coptic Christians is a must. Also known as the Hanging Church, the building is embellished with hundred of…

Abdin Palace

Probably the only presidential residence that works as a museum at the same time. Its collection are related to the state affairs.

Mosque of Amr ibn al-As

Even though, originally, this mosque was the first one built in Egypt, due to the building being continuously rebuild and restored, there…

Mosque of Sultan al-Muayyad

Named after Sultan al-Muayyad, this mosque is yet another Cairo's example of the Mamluk architecture that was completed in 1421.

Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque

Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque, dating back to the 14th century, is a gem of the so-called Mamluk Architecture.

Heliopolis Presidential Palace

The Heliopolis Palace is one of the five Egyptian presidential palaces and residences, the others being Abdeen Palace, Koubbeh Palace,…

Bab Al-Fotuh

A Fatimid-era gate built in 1087 by Badr al-Jamali. Noted for its rounded towers and intricate stonework, it served as the northern entrance to the walled city of Al-Qahira.

Bab Al-Nasr

A fortified Fatimid gate dating to 1087. This 'Gate of Victory' features massive rectangular towers and remains one of the few surviving original entrances to Cairo's Old City.

Qubba Palace

Koubbeh Palace or Qubbah Palace is one of the various Egyptian palaces which serve as the country's official guest house for visiting…

Mohamed Ali Palace

Also known as the Manial Palace, this complex reflects a blend of Ottoman, Moorish, Persian, and European Rococo styles, set within extensive botanical gardens.

Al-Tahera Palace

An early 20th-century Italianate palace designed by Antonio Lasciac. It has served as a presidential residence and hosted several high-profile diplomatic summits.

Al Sakakini

A late 19th-century Rococo palace in the El Sakakini district. It features elaborate carvings, statues, and multiple towers inspired by Italian architectural designs.

Al-Mouqatam Tower

A defensive tower located within the eastern walls of the Saladin Citadel, providing a strategic vantage point overlooking the surrounding city and hills.

Burg Al-Zafr

A medieval defensive tower situated along the northern section of Cairo's city walls, forming part of the fortification system established during the Ayyubid period.

Burg Al-Elwa

A historic watchtower located near the Citadel, part of the medieval fortifications designed to protect the city from eastern invasions.

Bab Al-Mahrouq

A 13th-century city gate that served as a main entrance to eastern Cairo. Its name, meaning 'Burned Gate,' refers to a historic fire during a Mamluk-era rebellion.