Top 3 Places to visit in the Modern Egypt (other than Pyramids, Sphinx and temples) and Bonus

 

Modern Egypt

Most of the people, when they hear the name Egypt, they automatically envision The Giza Pyramids and the  Sphinx only. All that because we, the foreigners, we learn about the ancient Egypt mostly in school and because of the media in western countries wouldn't promote something constructive and positive and they focus only with inventing stupid stories and realities than don't exist about Arab countries. Anyways, I am excited to see than the social media helps nowadays to promote this country and the modern Egypt through the vloggers who get to visit and promote it (sponsored or not by touristic agencies). I see numerous vlogs from Egypt showing what the new Egypt has to offer to the world. 

Egypt had gained a living sitting in the shoulders of its ancestors for quite and long time. However, the recent years have brought lots of new places and new things to visit as a tourist. 

Egypt is more than Pyramids and Sphinx, more than ancient relives. I do not mean than these are not important anymore. Not at all. These will stay as emblem of this country more years to come. 

1. CAIRO TOWER

Cairo Tower
source: egyptianstreets

a free-standing concrete tower in Cairo, Egypt. At 187 m (614 ft), it is the tallest structure in Egypt and North Africa. It was the tallest structure in Africa for ten years until 1971, when it was surpassed by Hillbrow Tower in South Africa.

One of Cairo's well-known modern monuments, sometimes considered Egypt's second most famous landmark after the Pyramids of Giza, it stands in the Gezira district on Gezira Island in the River Nile, close to downtown Cairo. (Wikipedia)

The structure of the tower consists of a central reinforced concrete core, four peripheral columns and various circular platforms spread over the entire height. These platforms support external concrete components shaped like irregular diamonds.

The reinforced concrete diamond patterns covering the exterior of the tower elongate as they approach the top, evoking an upward movement and guiding the one's gaze upwards. The intertwining lines slightly open at the top, imitating a pharaonic inspired lotus flower.

Eight million small mosaics cover the tower's exterior surface. The choice of mosaic coating was dictated by its weatherproof quality as well as its appearance.

Polished pink granite from Aswan, a material often used by ancient Egyptians, was chosen for the base of the tower and the main staircase.

At the top, a revolving restaurant, a cafeteria and a belvedere offer a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. (source:http://naoumshebib.com/pages_en/tour_du_caire_en.html)

2. Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Library of Alexandria, Egypt

is a major library and cultural center on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea in the Egyptian city of Alexandria. It is both a commemoration of the Library of Alexandria that was lost in antiquity, and an attempt to rekindle something of the brilliance that this earlier center of study and erudition represented. The idea of reviving the old library dates back to 1974, when a committee set up by Alexandria University selected a plot of land for its new library. Construction work began in 1995 and, after some US$220 million had been spent, the complex was officially inaugurated on 16 October 2002. 

The library has shelf space for eight million books, with the main reading room covering 20,000 square metres (220,000 sq ft). The complex also houses a conference center; specialized libraries for maps, multimedia, the blind and visually impaired, young people, and for children; four museums; four art galleries for temporary exhibitions; 15 permanent exhibitions; a planetarium; and a manuscript restoration laboratory. (Wikipedia)

3. GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM

GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM

Grand Egyptian Museum

also known as the Giza Museum, is an archaeological museum under construction in Giza, Egypt. When inaugurated, the GEM will be the largest archaeological museum in the world. It will house artifacts of ancient Egypt, including the complete Tutankhamun collection; many pieces will be displayed for the first time. The museum is sited on a plot of land of about 480,000 square metres (5,200,000 sq ft) approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) from the Giza pyramid complex and is part of a new master plan for the Giza Plateau called Giza 2030.

The construction of the museum, carried out by a joint venture established by the Belgian company BESIX Group and the Egyptian company Orascom Construction, is scheduled to be completed in 2021. The opening of the museum has also been announced for 2021. (Wikipedia)

BONUS: TAHRIR SQUARE

If you visit Cairo. give a try to the new and updated Tahrir Square. 

The sqaure has a great menaing for the Egyptian modern history due to the revolution from 2011. 

It was under renovation for a long time. The square was ceremonially reopened during the April 3 parade of nearly two dozen ancient royal mummies.

The 22 mummified royals, some over 3,000 years old, were carried on decorated carriages from the Egyptian Museum on the square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in southern Cairo.

An obelisk dating back 3,500 years replaced the memorial. Four sphinxes with ram's heads were brought from Luxor.

Antiquities officials say the obelisk will bring the greatness and charm of the ancient Egyptian civilization to a square that has long been a centerpiece of Egyptians' lives.

(Read more: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/04/cairo-debuts-revamped-tahrir-square#ixzz75tOdiKcR)

More information and visiting ideas in Egypt on the Official Website