The Pyramids
Located on the western bank of the Nile, facing Cairo, on the Giza plateau rise the three Pyramids, built by Cheops, Chepren and Mycerinos, and nearby the Sphinx keeps watch over them. The great pyramid of Cheops is one of the 7 World-Wonders, and the only one that still stands. The Pyramids are still one of the most important tourist sites in Egypt.Saqqara

Menf
The ancient site of Menf, the capital of Egypt in the days of the ancient kingdom. It teems with monuments and tombs. The most important landmark in the area is the step pyramid of Saqqara, built for the Pharaoh Zoser of the III Dynasty (2916 BC). The oldest large-scale Stone structure in history. Pyramids abound in Egypt, starting from the Pyramid of Abou Rawash in the north to the edge of the western desert, over 20 Kms, and ending with the Pyramids of Illahoun at the ingress of Fayoum.

Al Matareya Obelisk
The Al Matareya Obelisk located in the suburb of Matareya stands on the site of the ancient pharaonic "oun" called by the Greeks "Heliopolis". The only still visible vestige of this city is "Al Matareya Obelisk".

Amr Ibn El Aas Mosque
The first mosque built in Egypt and the fourth in the world in (21 Hejra, 642 A.D.) in the days of .Amr ibn el Aas, on a site north of Babylon. It is simple in design and 'plan, and its first pillars were made of palm tree trunks, and the roof was covered with palm leaves. Renovations, repairs and additions were made over the years. Its present design is an open courtyard with four "riwaks" around it the largest being the "qibla riwak"; it also has multi-shaped marble columns.Ibn Touloun Mosque
The third mosque built in Islamic Egypt, in 878 AD, in the reign of Amir Ahmed Ibn Touloun, the founder of the Toulounide dynasty. One of the largest mosques in Egypt, it covers an area of 161 m x 162 m, and its open courtyard measures 92 m x 91 m, with 4 "riwaks" around it. It is decorated with beautifully carved stucco and its minaret has an external staircase.

El-Azhar Mosque
The first mosque in Fatimid Cairo, it was built by Gawhar el Sakalli, commander-in-chief of the army of E1-Moezz Ledeen Illah in 969 AD. El Azhar was named after Fatima el Zahraa', daughter of the prophet, may God's peace and blessings be upon him.

El Azhar University
El Azhar is one of the oldest Islamic universities to which flock students from the four corners of the Islamic world. The successive rulers enlarged and embellished it over the years. El Azhar has a central courtyard sur-rounded by lwans and three minarets, one of them a double minaret, built in the 'days of Sultan el Ghouri. It also has an extensive library, some 60,000 books, 15,000 of which are manuscripts.

The Mosque and School of Sultan Hassan
The gem of Islamic architecture, it was built by Sultan Hassan ibn Mohamed ibn Kalaoun. Construction of a mosque and school was started in 1356 AD, for the four Islamic schools with adjoining dormitory facilities and a library. Once completed, teachers and physicians were appointed. The mosque covers and area of 7906 square meters. It has a monumental entrance, 38 m high, the most impressive among Islamic monuments in Egypt.

The Citadel of Salah Eddeen
A visit to Salah Eddeen citadel situated on a spur on one of the peaks of the Mokattam hills, calls to mind its great founder, Salah Eddeen el Ayoubi. It was erected in 1183 AD, along the lines of a medieval fortresses.

Mohamed Aly Mosque
An impressive mosque, it rises on the northern peak of Salah Eddeen citadel, and may be seen from any place in Cairo. Also called the "Ala-baster Mosque, it is one of Cairo's landmarks. The mosque was built bet-ween 1830 - 1849, in an ottoman style and is divided into two parts.
The eastern part which is square-shaped is covered by a large dome 21 m in diameter and 52 m high, with walls covered with alabaster and embel-lished with gilt decorations. The western part is the "sahn", and on the eastern wall of the mosque rise two twin minarets, each 84 meters high.

Dome and School of Bimartstan Kalawoon
At the northern end of the "Goldsmith lane in al-Azhar district, stretches an area of great artistic beauty. Outstanding landmarks are the dome, unique in design, and the only one of its kind in Egypt is covered with .marble inlaid with mother-of-pearl; carved and gilt ceilings and a marble mihrab, distinct in its height and grace.Bab Zouela and Al-Moa'yed Mosque (in Bab el Shareya)
Bab Zouela, one of Cairo's gate was built in 1091 AD, nearby the two minarets of El Moa'yed mosque built in 1441 AD., rise higher than the gate. Al Moa'yad mosque is a master-piece among the Cherkess-Mamlouk monuments in Cairo, and its- minarets are the most graceful.

Quaitbay Mosque (Between Abbassia and the Citadel)
Built by Sultan Quaitbay, in 1474 AD., it is a jewel of Islamic art. A graceful minaret, an exquisitely carved dome and a well-proportioned layout The Blue Mosque (at Tabbana)
Built by Emir Sonnkor eI Nasseri, in 1347 AD it is called the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles, covering its walls. It has a marble minbar and a round-shaped elegant minaret.

Beit Gamal Eddeen el Zahabi (in Ghourieh)
Built in the 17th century AD., in the style of Arab houses, it has retained its specific details and characteristics, the most salient being the marble fountain in the courtyard, the mashrabiehs (lattice work) and rooms embellished with coloured glass.

Beit el Sehemi (at Darb el Asfar)
Built in another Islamic architectural style, it has retained all its specific details. The large hall on the first floor, in its northern part, has walls covered with ceramic tiles.Khan el-Khalili and Goldsmith Lane
The most impressive among oriental bazaars and one of the oldest as it dates back to the 14th century AD It comprises a large number of shops which expose fabulous collections o. gold and silver jewelry, copper and wooden wares inlaid with mother of pearls. textiles as well as oriental needle work of great beauty that one may buy as gifts.

Mosque of Imams and Holy Men
The following are some of the Important mosques where are buried holy Men and members of the Family of the

Prophet.Al-Hussein Mosque
It bears the name of the Grand-Son of the Prophet. The mausoleum is an artistic masterpiece made of pure silver with designs and inscriptions in gold inlay. The mosque possesses a rare collection of personal belongings of the Prophet.

Sayeda Zeirtab Mosque
It bears the name of the Granddaughter of the Prophet, Sayeda Zeinab, daughter of lmam Aly, lbn Abi Taleb, and houses her mausoleum.

Mosque and Mausoleum of Imam El-Shafei
It bears the name of Imam Abi Abdallah Mohamed ibn Idris El-Shafei, Imam of one of the four Islamic schools. His mausoleum is one of the oldest Ayoubi vestiges, and his mosque is known for its large dome, made of wood and covered with lead sheets. Mosque and Mausoleum of Sayeda Nefissa is named after Sayeda Nefissa, Granddaughter of Imam Aly, ibn Abi Taleb, and houses her mausoleum.

These are not the, only mosques of Cairo. as the "City of the thousand Minarets" is rich in stately mosques. Their domes, minarets and inscrip-tions bear witness to the beauty of Islamic art at the various periods, such as E1-Moayed Mosque, El-Hakem Mosque, Sultan Barkous. Saleh Talai, El-Ahmar, El Rifai and Quaitbay Mosques.

The Christian monuments in Egypt have a religious importance as well as an historical and artistic importance. They mark a transitional phase from Pharaonic to Islamic art. In addition to the ancient historic relics displayed at the Coptic Museum, there are scores of churches in Cairo and in its suburbs.

Al Moalaqa Church (The Hanging Church)
It is so called because it was built on the pillars of the Roman fort of Babylon. It dates from the late 4th and early 5th century AD, as indicated on a carved wooden screen that represents Jesus, entering Jerusalem victorious. The church has a wonderful collection of icons, about 90.Abou Serga Church
Located close to the Coptic museum, it dates from the 4th century AD. It is widely believed that this church was built over the place where the Holy Family stayed when, escaping from Herod. It came to Egypt seeking shelter. Abou Serga church has a great historical and artistic importance and is visited by all Christian sects.The Church of the Virgin
It dates back to the 8th century AD, and houses a rare collection icons.Saint Barbara Church
Located close to Abou Serga church, it bears the name of Saint Barbara who was killed by her pagan father when she converted to Christianity One of the most beautiful Coptic churches, it dates from the late 4th century and early 5th century ADThe Churches of Abou Sefein Monastery
The monastery is located in Amr Mosque Street, close to Helwan railway and houses three churches:

1. Amba Shenouda churchAbou Sefin church (Saint Mokarino)
2. The Virgin of Damshire church.
3. Mar Mina Church

Located in Fom el Khalig area, it dates from the late 5th and early century AD It is named after Saint Mena, one of the greatest saints of Coptic church, who died a victim of the persecution of Christians by Roman emperor Diocletian.Other ancient churches in Cairo are the Virgin Mary church in Zowela lane and the Virgin and Mar Girgis churches in El-Rome lane. Among modern churches, there is the Virgin church at Zeitoun, where thousand go seeking divine blessing when it was said that the Virgin Mary had appeared above one of its domes.

The Saint Marcus Cathedral
The largest church in Africa, it was recently erected at Abbassia, and bears witness to architectural development. The remains of Saint Marcus, one of the first people who preached Christianity in Egypt, were interred in this church.

The Tree of the Virgin
When the Holy Family fled from Israel to escape from the persecu-tion of Herod, it came to Egypt. According to some historians, the Holy Family went from El-Moharrak Monastery in Upper Egypt to Al-Matareya suburb, where grows the blessed tree of the Virgin under which she sheltered with the Holy Babe. The tree, always green, is now some 2000 years old. It is one of the most important Christian tourist sites in Egypt, where thousands go seeking bounty and blessings.Among the most important Christian monuments in Egypt, are the monasteries that date from the early Christian era, nine of which still stand in Lower and Upper Egypt, still inhabited by monks.

Saint Catherine's Monastery
Saint Catherine's monastery, in Sinai.Amba Antonious monastery close to Safarana by the Red Sea.Amba Paul monastery by the Red Sea.Saint Makkarius monastery (Abbou Makkar) at Wadi NatrounAmba Bshoi monastery at Wadi Natroun, 20 km west of Saint karius monastery.Al Sourian monastery, the smallest monastery at Wadi Natroun, world renowned. It is the monastery from which Shenouda III, current patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox graduated from as a monkThe Baramos monastery, at Wadi Natroun from which graduated Pope Kirillos VI, the late patriarch of the Copts.The monastery of the Virgin at Maharrak in Upper-Egypt, west town of Kossia. Its history and that of the ancient church closely relate to the journey of the Holy Family in Egypt.The monastery of Amba Samuel in the western desert, in the vicinity of Maghaga in Upper Egypt.