For a country where people are normally fed up with the dusty hot air, the over-crowdedness, street madness and lack of organisation, Egypt has been missing the type of people who can see its unique charm and beauty. Other than the usual places most tourists or even Egyptians go to, many do not seek to see the other side of the city. There are still places that represent the true meaning of authenticity, yet they lack the attraction they deserve from people.
The pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, or even Luxor and Aswan are usually the places tourists would visit to see the ancient history of the pharaohs and seek evidence from the glorious eras of the past. Yet some might skip seeing the glory which Egypt has witnessed after that period of time.
Al-Moez Street is one of the oldest streets in Cairo. It holds the greatest concentration of medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world, that to a study conducted by the United Nations. It goes back to the Fatimid dynasty, a period which saw the revival of mosque-building and was one of the most innovative in terms of creativity and architecture.
Cairo’s Citadel is considered one of the touristic places that best reflects the time in which Egypt was one of the strongest countries in the world. It was built by the Ayyubid ruler Salah al-Din (Saladin) between 1176 and 1183 CE, and he also built a wall around it to merge Cairo and Fustat. He was recorded as saying: “With a wall I will make the two [cities of Cairo and Fustat] into a unique whole, so that one army may defend them both; and I believe it is good to encircle them with a single wall from one the bank of the Nile to the other.”
Winding one’s way to the mosques of “Mohammed bin Qaluoon” and “Mohammed Ali”, which are built inside the citadel, people would be impressed with their spaciousness, in which people can sit to learn about Islam.
Another sight is the Tannoura show at Wekalet El-Ghouri, which is based on whirling dervishes and traditional music.
The White Desert is also a must see in Egypt, located in the south of the country. The desert’s sheer whiteness makes it look like it’s endured a season of heavy non-stop snow, and the relaxation and peace of mind people get there is unforgettable.
With no air pollution, it is very easy to see the crystal clear sky, as if you’re sitting so close to the stars, and witnessing a shooting star would be a hard thing to miss there.
Minya’s “Wafi Senour” Cave is also a place no one should miss visiting. One of the rarest caves of its kind in the world, studies have also shown that the cave was formed 60m years ago due to changes that occurred in the soil.
Egypt is full of unique places that are capable of attracting people without paying much money.
