A trip to Egypt must take in the capital, Cairo, a bustling city, teeming with millions of people, crazy souk markets and above all a good many interesting and entertaining museums and galleries around which you can wander. In between this there are trips out to the Pyramids at Giza on the outskirts of Cairo, a romantic Nile cruise or a visit to the historic Necropolis of Abu Sir.
Egyptology has gripped the world for centuries, the mystery of the hieroglyphs, the impressive burials of the pharaohs, mummification and the search for hidden treasure. Nowhere on earth has a better collection of Egyptian artefacts been assembled than at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
The Egyptian Museum has amassed in excess of 120,000 antiquarian items, included in this vast treasure trove of history are 27 mummified remains, of which only 9 at a time are ever on show and 3,500 objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun. The prize of which is the solid gold lifelike mask weighing 24.5 pounds.
The Coptic Museum was assembled in 1910 and contains the largest collection of early Christian relics right through the modern times. In 1931 it became a part of the state museums and under the auspices of the Department of Antiquities also inherited many early items of Coptic treasures from the Egyptian Museum as well as lots of examples of frescoes, vestments and religious trappings donated by the local community. The museum contains over 15,000 objects, including a collection of 1,200 manuscripts.
The Agricultural Museum is another place to find the historic collections detailing Egypt’s long and illustrious past. This former palace of Princess Fatima was converted in 1930 and now houses relics of the countries contribution to agricultural practices. It also serves as a repository for the social history of how people have worked and managed the harsh landscape over the centuries.
Islamic Ceramics Museum at the Palace of Prince Amr Abrahim in the Zamalek district of Cairo provides an insight into the long history of ceramic pottery in Egypt. It covers a wide range of periods, styles and decorative techniques and has a wide selection of decorative, functional and ceremonial pieces. The prize collection can be found in the Fatima Hall and the fine display of Turkish pottery and Ottoman ware.
Where to stay in Cairo?
The magnificent Radisson Blu, Cairo Heliopolis Hotel, situated in the exclusive district, offers high quality facilities with easy access to the major attractions of Cairo. The impressive 427 rooms are fully air-conditioned, offering comfortable surroundings against the searing temperatures outside and come in a diverse range of styles. There is a worldwide selection of cuisine available at the restaurants, from traditional Italian food at Filini’s to the eclectic selections of Lebanese and Asian meals in the MIX restaurant.
