Maps

Cairo’s Towns & Urban Planning

• Garden City District (Birkat Izbah): a residential district that developed as a result of Khedive Ismail’ attempt to modernize Cairo. It was modeled after the concept of a “garden city” in 16th century France urbanism. The formal gardens are based on the Champs de Mars and Bois de Boulogne in France in collaboration with M. Barillet-Deschamps.
• El-Darb El-Ahmar: Location of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali’, perhaps one of the most important mosques in Cairo due to its emulation of Istanbul Ottoman mosque styles and incorporation of European motifs from France and Italy. Not only was the place important because of it signified Muhammad Ali’s power and political aspirations but also because it marks a shift in evolution of modern architecture in the Islamic world
• Ezbekiyya: Another area that was renovated under Isma’il’s rule. The process involved cleaning and redeveloping the older and vacant lands surrounding it. A french landscape architect was involved and created the Ezbekiyya Gardens, while the surrounding buildings were also ‘renovated’ to European standards.
• Falaki Square: Due to the increase in traffic by 1875, Isma’il wanted to open up the Old City by extending roads and reconstructing open spaces, one of which was Falaki Square. This followed the new interest in making streets wider, as it was geared more towards the use of carriage and mechanical transportation.
• Isma’iliyah: A Neighborhood that was created by Isma’il in order to develop the riverside area of the Suez Canal. Mubarak Ali (his urban planner) created a neighborhood much like the grid pattern of Paris.

Cairo’s Sites and Palaces

• Tahrir Square (Midan Ismailia): created by Mubarak and Isma’il in 1868, it was originally named after Isma’il during the 19th century. Midan Ismailia, as it was known, was an initiative by Isma’il to develop a modern European-style downtown. It is now known as Tahrir Square.
• Abdeen Palace: Made by Khedive Isma’il as a governmental headquarters near the Citadel. It’s facade reflects the influences of Italian, Ottoman, French and Egyptian architecture. This is now the presidential house and a museum. Khedive Isma’il contacted French architects with the help of craftsmen from Europe and Ottoman empire.
• Mosque of Muhammad ‘Ali: Commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1830 – 1848. An important landmark in the modernization of Egypt as it was one of the first Mosques with outside inspiration, European architectural ideals (two minarets for symmetry), and rivaling the Citadel.
• Gezirah Palace: Now the Marriott hotel. It was once the Palaces of Ismail where he brought royal guests to stay during the opening of the Suez canal.
• City of the Dead: A large cemetery with elaborate tombs and statues that is part of old “medieval” Cairo. Urban planners wanted to create a ‘hygienic’ and clean city, and tried to ‘clean’ a historical and traditional place.
• Mahmoudiyah Canal: This canal along the Nile River was revived by Abba Pasha and Sa’id Pasha around the 1820s. Although it was reportedly to have existed decades and centuries prior, it was only made navigationable during the reigns of the two Pashas. It is important as it linked Alexandria to the Nile, transporting resources and water.
• Suez Canal: The canal is considered to be the shortest link between the East and the West due to its unique geographic location. Because of this, it became one of the points of contention between the French, British, and Egyptian governments, causing a lot of political turmoil. For more information on how it was made and its history, click here.
• Citadel:  The Citadel is a historical fortress area in what is known as the ‘Old’ Medieval Cairo. It is a preserved site with famous mosques and museums. Muhammad Ali also controlled the enclosures of the Citadel and made his namesake Mosque near the area, . This helped solidify his power as a ruler.
• Giza: Giza Pyramid Complex is an archeological sites that sits further West of Downtown Cairo. The Great Pyramids that are found in this area is popularized and symbolic to Egypt’s cultural identity, especially within the perception of the country by Western societies.

• Stafford: Where some of Princess Nazli’s double-portraits are currently held, specifically in the Third Duke of Sutherland’s abode. This indicates the transnational gaze of her work outside of Egypt.

• The Baroque style of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali natural looking floral detailing, soft curved surfaces and classical details were inspired by the Italian renaissance period.

• Paris: Had strong ties with Egypt, especially with past occupation and Francophile tendencies. Known as a capital of culture, Khedive Isma’il visited the Exposition Universelle where he was introduced to Baron Haussmann and the Parisian urban plan. This inspired the whole reorganizing of the city.
• Bois de Boulogne & Champs de Mars: Large public park on the 16th section of Paris. French gardens are known for manipulating nature to create a leisurely theme for humans to experience.

• Cape of Good Hope: A sea freight owned by the British and was very important in determining the placement of the Suez canal.

• Istanbul: Center of many important imperial Ottoman mosques, including the Byzantine Church of Hagia Sophia and Mosque of Bayazid II. Both mosques were used as models for the Mosque of Muhammad Ali’ in Cairo, specifically their domes and minarets.