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Read inspiring stories, in-depth features, and insights about remarkable Egyptians and their remarkable journeys.

Antiquities Ministry Completes Installation of Two Karnak Rams in Tahrir Square

The Cabinet announced moments ago the successful transfer of the four rams to Tahrir Square in central Cairo, following the completion of their restoration, which continued over the past few months. Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that installation of two of the four rams on their designated bases had now been completed and that work was continuing …

May 2, 2020•2 min

Cairo & Neighborhoods

Kentucky Is Not Kentucky: How Global Signs Became Heritage Features in Tahrir Square

Signs and brand logos are among the elements that most negatively affect heritage façades in historic areas and neighborhoods. This is not a problem unique to Cairo’s historic Downtown; it is a global crisis. Heritage advocates are constantly seeking solutions that balance companies’ and businesses’ desire to advertise themselves with the preservation of the distinctive architectural character of historic capitals around the world. …

Apr 30, 2020•5 min

Cairo & Neighborhoods

In Response to the Prime Minister’s Directives.. Security Company Takes Over Development of Tahrir Square, While Cairo Handles Maintenance and Management

Following yesterday’s instructions from Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, to quickly contract a security company to take over the development works at Tahrir Square, Major General Mahmoud Shaarawy, Minister of Local Development, confirmed that a security company had already begun work at the site today. The minister confirmed that any violation by citizens would be dealt with firmly to preserve the development work completed at the square, which now rivals the world’s most famous squares …

Apr 28, 2020•2 min

Places & Architecture

Nissim Ashkenazi Synagogue

This abandoned synagogue is located on one of the back streets of the al-Daher district. It is the Nissim Ashkenazi Synagogue. It was built by a man named Nissim Yaacoub and was named after him. Ashkenazi indicates that it was intended for the Ashkenazi community, meaning Western Jews, while Eastern Jews are known as Sephardim. The synagogue dates back to 1894. It was registered as an antiquity in 1995, yet …

Apr 28, 2020•1 min

Cairo & Neighborhoods

Antiquities Minister Inspects Karnak Rams Ahead of Their Placement in Tahrir Square

Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, inspected this Monday afternoon the restoration work on the four rams, which were recently moved from behind the first pylon in the first courtyard of Karnak Temple and placed for restoration in the Egyptian Museum garden, ahead of their imminent transfer to their designated locations to adorn Tahrir Square in central Cairo beside the obelisk of King Ramses II, which has been restored and erected in the square. He was accompanied by …

Apr 27, 2020•2 min

Cairo & Neighborhoods

6 Ramadan Traditions in Downtown Halted by “Coronavirus”

For many years, Downtown Cairo remained a destination during the holy month of Ramadan for people who enjoyed breaking their fast and having suhoor outside their homes, as well as for those seeking artistic and entertainment events. This year, the coronavirus pandemic closed the doors to all events and deprived fasting people of the pleasure of going out among the squares and enjoying Downtown’s Ramadan atmosphere, amid precautionary measures adopted by the government …

Apr 24, 2020•6 min

Cairo & Neighborhoods

Photos|| Security Campaign Disperses Gatherings Beneath the Bridge Overlooking the Nile Corniche

Social media recently circulated photos of several café owners who laid out chairs and set up cafés beneath the bridge overlooking the Nile Corniche in Tahrir. Hours after the photos were published, security authorities launched major campaigns targeting gatherings beneath bridges, as part of the strong measures taken by the state to combat coronavirus and prevent mixing and gatherings. Security authorities succeeded in confronting gatherings beneath …

Apr 23, 2020•1 min

Places & Architecture

The Khedivial School

The Khedivial School is Egypt’s oldest secondary school. It was known as the Preparatory School before its name was changed to the Khedivial School in 1889. The school began in 1836 during the reign of Muhammad Ali Pasha, moving between Qasr al-Aini, Abu Zaabal, and Abbasiya before settling in Darb al-Gamamiz in 1868. In 1950, it moved to its current building, seen in …

Apr 22, 2020•1 min

Places & Architecture

Bab al-Khalq Courthouse

This is the Bab al-Khalq Courthouse, also known as the Court of Appeal or the South Cairo Court. This site was originally part of the garden of Mansour Pasha Yakan’s palace, which stood where the Cairo Security Directorate is now located. The building’s foundation stone was laid in 1898 and it opened in 1901. At the rear of the building there was a prison where pretrial detainees were held …

Apr 20, 2020•1 min

Cairo & Neighborhoods

Metro Stations Singing Outside Their Squares

Among the Cairo Metro stations serving the Downtown area, four do not reflect the reality of the square above them, as though they were singing outside the flock: Gamal Abdel Nasser Station is beneath الإسعاف Square, Anwar El-Sadat Station is beneath Tahrir Square, Martyrs Station is beneath Ramses Square, and Mohamed Naguib Station is beneath Mohamed Farid Square. These names were not chosen by chance, but were arranged without taking this discrepancy into account. …

Apr 19, 2020•3 min

Cairo & Neighborhoods

Lazoghly

In the square that bears his name, a statue of Lazoghly, or Laz-Oghly, stands confidently, holding his sheathed sword and pointing his index finger in a particular direction. Khetoda Muhammad Bey Laz-Oghly was Minister of Finance during Muhammad Ali’s reign, then Minister of Defense, and later Prime Minister of Egypt. He was Muhammad Ali’s close aide and conceived the idea for the famous Mamluk massacre that secured Muhammad Ali’s throne in Egypt …

Apr 14, 2020•1 min

Cairo & Neighborhoods

Holy Week... What Coronavirus Deprived Us Of

O God of mercy and compassion, do not be angry with us or hold us accountable for our evil deeds. Listen and look, O God of our help, and lift from the world death, high prices, epidemics, evacuation, the sword of enemies, earthquakes, calamities, and every frightening matter. We ask You, Lord, hear us and have mercy on us” (from the Book of Holy Pascha Prayers of the Coptic Orthodox). Black banners fill the church, standing between the walls and above the capitals of the columns. A solemn black curtain bearing the image of Christ crucified hangs over the sanctuary screen …

Apr 13, 2020•4 min

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70 Days at the Grand Egyptian MuseumDay 3/70