Khan el-Khalili - Historic Cairo
Kairo, Egypt
21.10.2023
Chan el-Chalili, located in the heart of Cairo, Egypt, is a bustling and vibrant market that has been around since the Mamluk era in the 14th century. It was built by the Amir Jalal al-Din al-Syuti and named after the famous Syrian Khan el-Khalili. Today, it is not only a popular tourist destination, but also an important part of Cairo's cultural and economic life.
The market is known for its maze-like layout and its lively atmosphere. Traders from all over Egypt come to sell their goods, ranging from traditional handcrafted items such as carpets, jewelry, and pottery, to spices, clothing, and souvenirs. The market is also a great place to try some authentic Egyptian street food, from koshari to ta'ameya.
But Chan el-Chalili is more than just a market. It is a reflection of Egypt's rich history and cultural heritage. As you wander through its narrow streets, you will come across mosques, mausoleums, and madrasas, each with its own unique architectural style and design. One of the most notable landmarks is the Al-Hussein Mosque, built in the 12th century and named after the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
Another interesting feature of the market is the El-Fishawi Coffee Shop, a famous hangout spot for writers, artists, and intellectuals since the early 20th century. It is said that Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz used to frequent this coffee shop, and it has also been featured in many Egyptian films.
Despite its long history, Chan el-Chalili has managed to adapt to the modern world while still preserving its traditional charm. It is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience the authentic culture and lifestyle of Cairo. So make sure to add it to your itinerary when visiting Egypt!
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Tucked away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the world's oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques, madrasas, hammams and fountains. Founded in the 10th century, it became the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century.
Khan el-Khalili (Arabic: خان الخليلي) is a famous bazaar and souq (or souk) in the historic center of Cairo, Egypt. Established as a center of trade in the Mamluk era and named for one of its several historic caravanserais, the bazaar district has since become one of Cairo's main attractions for tourists and Egyptians alike. It is also home to many Egyptian artisans and workshops involved in the production of traditional crafts and souvenirs. The name Khan el-Khalili historically referred to a single building in the area; today it refers to the entire shopping district.
Islamic Cairo (Arabic: قاهرة المعز, romanized: Qāhira al-Muʿizz, lit. 'Al-Mu'izz's Cairo'), or Medieval Cairo, officially Historic Cairo (القاهرة التاريخية al-Qāhira tārīkhiyya), refers mostly to the areas of Cairo, Egypt, that were built from the Muslim conquest in 641 CE until the city's modern expansion in the 19th century during Khedive Ismail's rule, namely: the central parts within the old walled city, the historic cemeteries, the area around the Citadel of Cairo, parts of Bulaq, and Old Cairo (Arabic: مصر القديمة, lit. 'Misr al-Qadima') which dates back to Roman times and includes major Coptic Christian monuments.
The name "Islamic" Cairo refers not to a greater prominence of Muslims in the area but rather to the city's rich history and heritage since its foundation in the early period of Islam, while distinguishing it from with the nearby Ancient Egyptian sites of Giza and Memphis. This area holds one of the largest and densest concentrations of historic architecture in the Islamic world.: 7 It is characterized by hundreds of mosques, tombs, madrasas, mansions, caravanserais, and fortifications dating from throughout the Islamic era of Egypt.
In 1979, UNESCO proclaimed Historic Cairo a World Cultural Heritage site, as "one of the world's oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques, madrasas, hammams and fountains" and "the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century."
