Architectural, Cultural sights in Cairo
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A
Beit el-Suhaymi
Beit el-Suhaymi is a family mansion and caravanserai (merchants’ inn) built in the 17th and 18th centuries. From the street, it’s nothing; after jogging through a narrow hall, you arrive at a peaceful courtyard surrounded by a warren of reception halls, storerooms and baths. It has been thoroughly restored, though barely furnished (fire extinguishers, a precaution required by the extensive new woodwork, are the most prominent item on display). As a result it feels a bit ghostly – especially considering some 30 families were evicted to make way for the renovation.
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B
Amir Taz Palace
Walking west along busy Sharia as-Salbiyya eventually leads to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun. A short detour north on Sharia Suyufiyya brings you to two little-visited but rewarding buildings. The Amir Taz Palace is the restored home of one of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad’s closest advisers, who later controlled the throne through Sultan Hassan. Now used as a cultural centre, the home is not as extensive as Beit el-Suhaymi, but admission is free, and there are a couple of small exhibits, a beautiful wood ceiling in the loggia and clean bathrooms.
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C
Citadel
Sprawling over a limestone spur on the eastern edge of the city, the Citadel was home to Egypt’s rulers for 700 years. Their legacy is a collection of three very different mosques, several palaces (housing some underwhelming museums; admission fee included) and a couple of terraces with views over the city. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cairo, so be prepared for heavy crowds and heavier security, including metal detectors and bag searches.
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D
Beit al-Harrawi
A peaceful little plaza, Beit al-Harrawi is a fine 18th-century mansion, but too sparse inside to warrant the admission charge. It is sometimes used as a concert venue and houses the Arabic Oud House; you may hear rehearsals.
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