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Egypt

The Hanging Church in Cairo – Virgin Mary Appeared Here

May 19, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

You might have heard of the “Hanging Gardens of Babylon” but you’ve never heard of the Hanging Church in Cairo. The former was one of the 7 Wonders of the World, while the latter once the seat of papacy of the Orthodox Church. This tiny church is known for its

Egypt

Citadel of Qaitbay – A Mediterranean Fort With A View

May 17, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Do you know that the Citadel of Qaitbay stands on the site where the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria once was? That lighthouse wasn’t just an ordinary structure to beacon seafarers but it’s one of the Wonders of the Ancient World. The tower was also the tallest structure in the world

Egypt

The Modern Library of Alexandria

May 16, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

The modern Library of Alexandria doesn’t really live up to its prestige in ancient times – when it comes to rare collections. There’s one surviving scroll from its ancient library in a city once ruled by Cleopatra and Alexander the Great. However, its architecture is brilliant, bold, modern and wonderfully

Egypt

The Roman Amphitheater After the Upgrade

May 15, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

It’s no surprise if there’s a Roman amphitheater in the middle of Alexandria. It’s a city which was conquered, ruled and heavily influenced by Rome. The ruins were discovered during the excavation to lay the foundations of a government building. In fact, right next to the ruins is a heavily-guarded military

Egypt

Alexandria National Museum Was a Disappointment

May 14, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Alexandria is an ancient city and as any tourist would expect, its National Museum should be filled with great things. But, I was disappointed. While the objects were labeled properly, the museum is dead. Like a necropolis. I think it has something to do with the kind of too much

Egypt

Saqqara Pyramids in the City of the Dead

May 13, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

The Saqqara Pyramids in the City of the Dead are the burial grounds of Memphis, Egypt’s ancient capital. This place is also known and spelled as Sakkara or Saccara. Unlike the Great Pyramids of Giza, the ones you see here are smaller but older than the former. Off-the-beaten track While tourists

Cave Church in Cairo (aka Church of Saint Simon the Tanner).

Egypt

This Cave Church in Cairo Can Sit 20,000 People And Was Built by the Garbage Collectors

May 12, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Yes, this Cave Church in Cairo can sit 20,000 people! And the garbage collectors built it! In Cairo, the Zabbaleen people are known as the “garbage collectors”. Almost all of them are Coptic Christians. They settle down at the foot of Mokattam Mountains where the overpowering smell of garbage is too

Egypt

Pompey’s Pillar – An Open Museum in Alexandria

May 11, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Pompey’s Pillar is an open museum in Alexandria. This pillar wasn’t really built for Pompey, a Roman politician and military general. He was also Julius Caesar’s fiercest rival and mortal enemy in the civil war. This monolithic column was built to commemorate the triumph of the Roman Emperor Diocletian over

Egypt

Inside the Church of St George in Cairo

May 10, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

The Church of St George in Cairo is built above an old Roman Tower. Thus, visitors have to climb a flight of stairs to reach the round church. Under the impressive dome is, of course, a great place of worship for Coptic Christians in Cairo. It is believed that the

Egypt

Murals in Alexandria

May 9, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

I was walking around for two hours until I saw these murals in Alexandria. It’s one of those moments when I allowed my myself to get lost around a new city. And when I can’t figure out, I’d hail a cab to bring me somewhere to satisfy my stomach. These

Middle East

Coptic Museum in Cairo has the World’s Largest Collection of Coptic Artifacts

May 8, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

The Coptic Museum in Cairo has the world’s largest collection of Coptic artifacts. I find this museum more interesting than the overcrowded Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo. But these two have one thing in common – lack of interesting descriptions. I think when you’re visiting Cairo, you should divide your sightseeing

Egypt

The Grand Al Mursi Mosque

May 5, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

The grand Al Mursi Mosque in Alexandria is devoted to a great Sufi Saint Abul Abbas al-Mursi. In fact, his body is laid here. This is a very historical mosque where both males and females can go in and worship but separately. I wasn’t planning to visit this place but

Coptic Cairo - Church of Sts Sergius and Bacchus (Egypt).

UNESCO Sites

Jesus was a Refugee in Egypt and This is the Cave Where He Stayed

May 4, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Jesus was a refugee in Egypt and this is the cave where he stayed with Mary and Joseph. It is also believed that Joseph, the carpenter, might have worked at the Babylon Fortress nearby. When Jesus was still an infant, King Herod of Judea ordered to kill all “first borns.”

Middle East

Montaza Palace Gardens – A Beautiful Refuge from the Heat

May 2, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Montaza Palace Gardens is your beautiful refuge from the heat in Alexandria. Though it can be chilly in winter, it is still an ideal place to watch the Mediterranean sunset. A walk in this huge park should be relaxing, while admiring the well-tended gardens. You’ll never run out of shades

Egypt

Mediterranean Sunset in Alexandria

May 1, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Mediterranean sunset in Alexandria is, oh boy, breathtaking. While I was in Alexandria last month, a local couchsurfer (Thanks, Abdulazziz!) brought me to Montaza Palace Gardens. This park is huge and there were only few people when we were there. Its lush green, well-manicured gardens are good for an afternoon walk

Egypt

View from Cairo Tower on a Polluted Day

April 26, 2017 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

If someone told you that the view from Cairo Tower is amazing don’t fully believe him. There’s nothing spectacular from up there. It was not even breathtaking for me. I wasn’t that impressed. But, hey, I was there on a polluted day, so, you can’t blame me for this impression.