With over 100,000 artifacts in 107 halls, the Egyptian Museum provides days of exploration. Inside are treasures from ancient Egypt including priceless finery taken from ancient royal tombs, and one of the museum’s masterpieces, the statue of Khafre (Chephren). The most popular attraction is the Tutankhamun Gallery where exquisite treasures from the tomb of the Boy King are displayed, including the famous solid gold death mask. Another top attraction is the Royal Mummy Room containing mummies of some of the most powerful Pharaohs in Egypt dating from the 18th to the 20th Dynasties.
Old Cairo
The small and enclosed area, also known as Coptic Cairo, is the oldest part of the city and was once known as the Roman stronghold of Babylon; some of the old walls still exist. It is the ancient heart of the Coptic Christian community and although only five of the original 20 churches remain they are interesting to visit. It is a peaceful place to wander around and a respite from the busy city centre.
Hanging Church
The Hanging Church derives its name from its location on top of the southern tower gate of the old Babylon fortress with its nave suspended over a passage. It went on to become known to travellers as the ‘Staircase Church' during the 14th and 15th centuries, because of the twenty-nine steps that lead to the entrance.
Pyramid Of Giza & Sphinx
In a depression to the south of Chephren's pyramid sits a creature with a human head and a lion's body. The name ‘Sphinx' which means 'strangler' was first given by the Greeks to a fabulous creature which had the head of a woman and the body of a lion and the wings of a bird. The sphinx appears to have started in Egypt in the form of a Sun God. The Egyptian sphinx is usually a head of a king wearing his headdress and the body of a lion. There are however sphinxes with ram heads that are associated with the god Amun.
Citadel of Salah El Din
One of Cairo's most popular tourist attractions is the Citadel, located on a spur of limestone that had been detached from its parent Moqattam Hills by quarrying. The Citadel is one of the world's greatest monuments to medieval warfare, as well as a highly visible landmark on Cairo's eastern skyline. Particularly when viewed from the back side (from the north), the Citadel reveals a very medieval character.
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