Exploring Cairo, and the Pyramids – Part 2

The Step Pyramid is at Saqqara, has six stepped layers and stands 62 Mtrs high.  The Djoser’s complex consists of various courts, tombs, other Pyramids (Userkaf, Unas, Sekhemket, Teti, Pepi) Mastaba of Ti,  Sacred Apis Bulls etc.

The Bent Pyramid at Dahshur was built by Pharaoh Snefru and was the first attempt at the classic shape.

Tutankhamun Sarcophagi; one of the three that covered his Mummy.  Simply fascinating and a must see are the 1700 items found in his tomb which
on display at the Tutakhamun?s Gallery at the Egyptian Museum, Cairo

Egyptian Museum ? Statues of Amenemipet (Chief Priest of Mut) and his wife discovered at saqqara tombs.   Alabaster Sphinx (right)

@ the Egyptian Museum

Me better or Sphinx?  The Egyptian Museum in the background, where more than 120,000 relics,  ancient artifacts, mummies and treasures are displayed in 107 halls ? not to be missed at any cost.  I found  4 hours were  too less and had to be dragged out by my?..never mind 😉 !

I captured a desi Omar Shariff 😉 trying to circumnavigate  the Pyramids on horseback?. Ha ha ha? (I?ll get the couch for this at least for a week) !!!

The Church of St George (Mar Girgis). St. George was persecuted and executed by Emperor Diocletian for practicing Christianity.  The church dates back to 1909.

The interior of the Mar Girgis Church, Coptic Cairo.

Coptic Cairo as seen from the Metro Station

The remains of two Roman Towers dominate the western side of the old CIty. One has been incorporated into the foundations of the Church of St. George, the other is currently being excavated. These were the defense towers and possible gate of the Roman city here. Built in AD 98 by Emperor Trajan

Coptic Museum houses coptic art from Graeco Roman times to the Islamic Cairo ? most Museums forbid pictures

The Hanging Church-9th Century (Suspended church) is called so as it is built on the top of the water gate of Roman Babylon

Eye catching Mosaics in the Hallway ..Hanging Church, Coptic Cairo

The wooden doors, age-old but the in-laid  ivory carvings still shining bright ? Hanging Church, Coptic Cairo

Monastry of St. George (Left); A Painting showing the torture of St. George (Right)

The monastry of St. George has been gutted with fires on many occasions, but the stained glass windows remain bright and colourful.

Church of St.Sergius – the oldest church in Cairo, built in the 5th century. It is said to be built over the place where the Holy Family  rested after fleeing from King Herod.  You can descend to the crypt by rickety steps

The narrow and ancient alley leading to the Church of St. Barbara and the Ben Ezra Synagogue

Ben Ezra Synagogue ?Egypt?s oldest synagogue dates from the 9th century .. We were screened & whisked 🙂 and passed  through 3 security gates; we must have looked like terrorists ;).

The interior the Ben Ezra Synagogue ? Tradition marks this as the spot where the prophet Jeremiah gathered the jews in the 6th century after Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the Jerusalem temple. There is a spring here which is supposed to mark the place where the pharaoh’s daughter found Moses in the reeds.

The Al-Azhar Mosque  & the Mohd. Ali Mosque at the Citadel at Islamic Cairo.   We saw so many coptic churches that one more on the agenda would have made me convert to Coptism or join the nunnery.  The trip to Islamic Cairo saved the world ;)!

Seen all over Cairo, the bread-man on a cycle;  an incredible  balancing act.  You should see the ones cycling with a double-decker tray..amazing !!

A giant shawarma ? now we know the secret behind those ?big butts? of Egyptians coz its Shawarma for breakfast, lunch and dinner for some.

Cairo main city, no traffic rules here? survival of the fastest and smartest; the rest get left behind.

Sheesha ho ya dil ho?aakhir toot jatha hai.  Sheesha and Chai at a roadside caf?. The old fella offered ole felle me a puff too !

St. George (Mar Gargis) was executed in AD 203 for practice of Christianity.  The chain used in the torture still there ?.It was scary  to watch one of the faithful put the chain around his neck and meditate and pray..some eerie penance that.

The relics of Saint Barbara, at the 9th century church. St. Barbara was beaten to death by her father for trying to convert him to Christianity?

Mother of Pearl ?vases, screens and bowls?Beautiful but ouch !!!!  too hot for our wallet !

Hmmm..this is more apna chota budget type 😉

I wished to get one of ?this? to guard our home from unsolicited visitors..never got my wish fulfilled though 😉

Spices galore;  but we get better in UAE 😉

Nothing like our Lonavalla Chiccki..but selling like hot cakes in Cairo.

Downtown, the heartland of Cairo. 

Jab deep jale aanah, jab shaam dale aanah?? Cairo at dusk.

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Author: Judith Serrao- UAE