Islamic Cairo

Following the conquest of Egypt in 641 AD, the Muslims erected a city and named it Al-Fustat, after the ruling Dynasty at that time. Located on what is now the southern border of modern Cairo. Successive dynasties established their unique capitals expanding further and further to the Northeast, until present-day Cairo was finally
established. At that time, however, Cairo occupied very little land. It was a mere square with outer laying residences and large structures that attested to the successive rulers' wealth. Salah El-Din's colossal citadel called "Al-Qalaa", for example, was built on a rocky spur, now central to Islamic Cairo and a reminder of how powerful the early Dynasties had been. During the Mamluk era which lasted from 1250 to 1517, a wealth of Mosques, mausoleums and Islamic buildings were added to the city, making a walk through it, today, an enriching experience for history lovers, photographers, and sightseers. Islamic Cairo, in its current form is still home to the early buildings such as the city's oldest Mosque and University. While strolling through the maze of narrow and highly trafficked streets you will find yourself transported to an earlier time, a time when the city was still new. Old coffee shops still house men in traditional dress. They sip peppermint tea from clear glasses and blow smoke from their nostrils – seasoned smokers. They are from another area, and within Khan Al-Kalili market, the biggest in Cairo, El-Fishwai's and other coffee shops still echo revolutionary spirit of the early 1950's. Islamic Cairo is incomparable to any quarter in any other city. The history it holds and the mud-packed roads with vendors still selling nuts from push carts and spices in burlap bags is what many come to Egypt to see.