City of the Dead (El-Saf, Egypt)

Morbid, gloomy, and oddly beautiful

Zawiyyet al-Mayyiteen, or the "City of the Dead," is a city of cemeteries that spans several kilometers, and is known as one of the biggest cemeteries in the world. 

Zawiyyet al-Mayyiteen was founded after Cairo's rulers wanted an isolated location away from the busy city. Through history, the City of the Dead has been the final resting place to numerous factions, including the Fatimids, Abbasids, Ayyubids, Mamlukes, Ottomans, and Coptic Christians.

The City of the Dead contains 5 major cemeteries:

• The Northern Cemetery
• Bab el Nasr Cemetery
• The Southern Cemetery 
• The Cemetery of the Great
• Bab el Wazir Cemetery 

The historic belief in Egypt is that the cemeteries are an active part of the community and not exclusively for the dead. Due to Cairo's housing shortage, many residents have been forced to live among the dead here. More than half a million of Egypt's most poor have formed a community here. As a result, they have caused massive damage and desecration to the graves here. Although it's technically illegal, its tolerated by Egypt's government.

Old Cairo City Guide (Cairo, Egypt)

Tread lightly through the ancient narrow alleyways of the oldest area in Cairo, as the native Coptic Christians have, as they faced adversity and persecution throughout the centuries. 

The Egyptian Museum (Cairo, Egypt)

One of the world’s most important collections of ancient artifacts

Founded in 1857, The Egyptian Museum is home to the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the world. Known also as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, or more simply the Cairo Museum, it contains over 120,000 items inside it's walls. Only a fraction of these will be on display, however, due to space confinements. 

The biggest attraction in the Museum is the Tutankhamun Galleries. Containing the vast treasures of Tutankhamun or "King Tut," this exhibit is a collection of the largest and richest grave goods ever recovered intact in an Egyptian tomb. Recovered in the Valley of the Kings, this collection includes magnificent pieces including Tut's death mask, the pharaoh's lion throne, and his elegant wardrobe collection. 

The museum has two main floors. On the ground floor you will get to observe seemingly countless collections of papyrus and coins. Papyrus, obtained from the pithy stem of water plants, was used in ancient Egypt for many purposes. Most importantly, when observed today, is how Egyptians would make papyrus into sheets and write and paint on them. Numerous languages have been identified on these sheets including Greek, Latin, Arabic, and ancient Egyptian. Coins displayed on the ground floor are made up of a variety of metals. These metals include bronze, silver, and gold. Not only does the collection feature Egyptian coins, but Greek, Roman, and Islamic as well. This shows insight into the history of Ancient Egyptian trade. Among the 40+ rooms on the ground floor, you'll also be exposed to artifacts from the New Kingdom Period (1550-1069 B.C.). You'll get to witness countless artifacts. From statues, to coffins, to boats. 

On the next level (referred to as the first floor), you'll see the artifacts from the final two Egyptian dynasties. Moreover, this floor contains items from the tombs of the famous Pharaohs Thutmosis III, Thutmosis IV, Amenophis II, Hatshepsut, and the courtier Maiherpri, as well as many artifacts from the Valley of the Kings.Two unique rooms house a number of mummies of kings and other royal family members of the New Kingdom. 


Tips 

It is suggested that you go with a guide. The vast amount of artifacts on display have been regarded by some visitors as cluttered and poorly labeled. A good guide not only serves as mind-easing navigation, but will provide more insight on the items you will be observing. 

Some of the rooms, such as "the mummy room," cost an additional charge to enter. The price to enter will be around 30 Egyptian Pounds (about 2 American Dollars). 

There is a heavily enforced "camera fee" for those who wish to take pictures inside the museum. This is approximately 50 Egyptian Pounds (about 5 American Dollars). Some exhibits prohibit photo taking that you must abide by. 

There are no food or drinks sold inside the museum. Drinks need to be brought in on your own accord. 

Why should you go? 

• Witness the largest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts in the world.
• See the actual mummies of many famous Egyptian Pharaohs.
• Get a sense of how the ancient civilizations lived, traded, and communicated through a variety of writings and art.

Price (In Egyptian Pounds) 
Adults: 120 
Mummies Room: 150 
Camera Fee: 50 

Hours 
9am-7pm Mon-Wed, to 9pm Sun & Thu, to 4pm Fri & Sat

Sannur Cave (Egypt)

Home of the rarest alabaster formations in the world

Located 10 miles outside of the city of Beni Suef, Sannur Cave was discovered in the 1980's after demolitions exposed an entrance inside of a quarry.  The limestone cave, spanning 700 meters (2,300 ft), is only one chamber and was formed by thermal springs. The cave is only about 15 meters (50 ft) wide, and is filled with a white fine-grained, translucent form of gypsum, known as alabaster. The quality of natural formations and "Egyptian Alabaster" located in the cave are the rarest in the world. The Sannur Cave has provided researchers with detailed studies regarding the environmental conditions that were present during the ancient era. Due to the cave's importance, the prime minister declared it a protectorate (protected land) in 1992.

Reaching Sannur Cave is quite an "off-road" adventure. You are required to traverse 30 km through Cairo's desert and therefore need a jeep or pickup for travel. It is advised that you go with a tour or do extensive research prior to your journey. Although some new roads have been implemented on the way towards Sannur Cave, other roads are very hard to observe and tricky to follow. Furthermore, GPS signals have been known to go out as you approach the cave, so having someone who knows the location may prove to be invaluable. 

Rare "Egyptian Alabaster" on display throughout Sannur Cave

Upon reaching the cave, you'll notice pockets of red soil (terra rossa) and swallow-holes (dolines). You'll encounter an iron ladder that will allow you to climb down from the cave's entrance. Once in, you'll have about a 5 minutes walk until you're at the floor of the cave. You'll instantly be exposed to numerous, beautiful, alabaster formations. Although poorly lit, the beauty of the cave is apparent. 


Why should you visit?

• Rarest Alabaster formations in the world. 
• A protectorate declared by the prime minister.
• A fun adventure through Cairo's desert.