Showing posts with label Khan El-Khalili. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Khan El-Khalili. Show all posts

Monday, November 8, 2010

King Tutankhamun Sarcophagus

A stroll through the streets of Cairo in Egypt is like a trip back in time, are the old markets, such as the Khan El-Khalili, an old "Success" dating from late 1300. Just outside the city are the plains of Giza, where the smiling Sphinx near the pyramids lies Huge Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, builders of the Old Kingdom pharaohs who had perfected his art. Not notable Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of world of Egyptian artifacts, including the coffin and the burial of King Tutankhamen, as well as the famous mummies found in the cache at Deir el Bahari noticeable in the 1870's.




King Tutankhamun Sarcophagus


Of course, the city's history neither begins nor ends with the pharaohs, and, indeed, Cairo today is the largest city in Africa and one of the largest cities in the world. It is a city of contrasts, full of modern technology, however, in a land that is forever linked to its ancient past own.


The diversity of fascinating places and subjects makes visits Cairo one of the main reasons for visitors to travel to Egypt. While there are many different regions or districts of the city itself, Cairo travel in general, touch on a few popular and historic areas. For example, the oldest neighborhoods in the city including "Old Cairo" and "Islamic Cairo" sectors tend to be accessed by traveling from Cairo to enjoy. This is because they contain the Citadel historic mosques and medieval structures and the Khan El Khalili. Of course, the most modern areas have their attractions as well, and contain some areas old and popular, such as the museum, many well known hotels and major transportation hubs. These neighborhoods also tend to be part of tours of Cairo, in particular the "Midan Tahrir" and "Midan Ramses."



Khan El-Khalili, one of the oldest markets in the world
Khan El-Khalili


Outside the city, most trips from Cairo to take aim at Giza, and the suburban cities of Gezira and Zamalek, where many hotels and shops can be enjoyed.

Besides visiting the streets of the city, famous buildings and monuments, Natives enjoy gourmet cuisine and meeting the friendly inhabitants of the city, most trips from Cairo also includes a ride on the Nile River are beautiful No and graceful "Felucca", with sails filled and different routes that lead visitors to many parts of the city. There are also evening cruises to dinner along the river too, and this makes a wonderful way to see the twinkling lights of this city that is home to more than sixteen million people!


Felucca




Sarcophagus [sar.coph.a.gus] noun /särˈkäfəɡəs/

A stone coffin, typically adorned with a sculpture or inscription and associated with the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Rome, and Greece.

Feluca [fe·luc·ca]   noun /fəˈlo͞okə,-ˈləkə/

a small vessel propelled by oars or lateen "a triangular sail on a long yard at an angle of 45° to the mast." sails or both, used on the Nile and formerly more widely in the Mediterranean region.

Source: www.tutankhamon.org

Monday, June 9, 2008

Kahn el Kahlili (Turkish Bazar) - Cairo

A Nile cruise after touring the great pyramids is a must-do while you are in Egypt but visiting the alleyways of Kahn el Kahlili market is a totally unique experience. Khan el Kahlili market is the oldest market in Cairo. It was built in 1382 by the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in the heart of the Fatimid City of Cairo. The Khan was previously known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period. 

He built a big caravanserai (or khan); a caravanserai was a sort of hotel for traders, and usually the focal point for economic activity for any surrounding area.

As you walk through the unpaved, dusty alleys of this market, it is a maze; too deep and adventurous. The charm and architecture of the place take you away. Kahn el Kahlili carries the literal meaning of the word "market", very colorful with many goods on display for sale.

An old tourist market is defined by bargaining. Whether you seek typically oriental souvenirs to carry back home as gifts, dig for gold-plated artwork or savor silver trinketry, at the west of the Khan (street of the gold sellers), you will find whatever you want. Near the gold dealers, there are the brass and coppersmith markets. 

Egypt is famed among the world's most ancient places for spices trading. The distinct aroma filling the air of the Khan is strongly beautiful. You feel like you want to buy them all. Khan el Khalili's spices are known for good quality. 

Besides shopping, traditional cafés are scattered around for tourists and locals to rest and enjoy cold or hot drinks, For smokers, there is the Shisha, or water pipe to give a try. People are generally friendly and very helpful in those cafes, and just in case you cannot find your way out they will have pleasure in showing you the way.