Our streets: A tour in Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatimi Street in Cairo

on: October 10, 2017

We are now in the heart of Fatimid Cairo (since the time of Fatimid State in Islamic history). We walk in the street of Al Moez Ldin Allah. It is not just a street; we are touring the largest open museum of Islamic monuments in the world.

The street is paved with old stones. It is the first in Egypt to be customized for pedestrians only since the end of paving works in February 2008.

It is a street which walls and mosques enfold stories of ancient times, and prayers, accompanied by the love of God and people. These witnessed various Islamic eras from the Fatimid state to Mamluks, making it a diverse and varied place.

At the entrance to the street, one can see the Mosque of Al Hakim bi-Amr Allah. The street has several lanes. In the lane of Al Darb Al Asfar, there is ‘Bayt Al-Suhaymi’, which is distinguishes by giving its visitors a glimpse about the life of the wealthy people in old times. With its decorated oriental designs and high ceilings, manually made of wood, ‘Bayt Al-Suhaymi’ is a symbol of the rich of old times. It is a time capsule for those who visit and walk around it. Currently, it is a place for Arab heritage arts, particularly old singing and exhibitions of graphic art.

At the end of the street from Al-Azhar direction, one finds ‘Madrassa of Sultan Qalawun’, which is “a mosque and a school”. It is a place that captures you with its beauty and vitality. Murals are decorated with Qura’nic verses. It is a Madrassa that shows the beauty of the dome and the school, with decorations and dovetailed glass, which vitalize the place.

There is also El Nahaseen neighborhood, whereas the fingertips creatively engrave copper and make exquisite decorated wares.

Khan Al Khalili is near, which has all manual works that speak for the beauty of Islamic civilization and is a haven for those who want to get a souvenir from Egypt.

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Famous Islamic antiquities at Al Moez Ldin Allah Street: