General Comments

Cairo is not made for pedestrians, cars are everywhere, and they are increasing in number every year. There is little or no thought about how people will manage to cross the road, and even when there are foot bridges or underground subways, the average Egyptian will opt for crossing the road !

However, some areas are easier for walking and indeed if you want to get to know a place, nothing beats walking.

Islamic Cairo

(From Al-Azhar St. to the Street of the Tentmakers) 

This is another great area for  walking, plenty of things to see - street life, monuments, raw cotton traders, material bazaars etc.

 Distribution of raw cotton in the market area around Bab Zuweila

The perfect book for this area is "Historic Cairo" - A walk through the Islamic City.  It is an American University in Cairo Press publication and the author is Jim Antoniou.  Available at the AUC bookstore (Tahrir Square) or through the internet. Also a smaller more handy book Egypt Pocket Guide - Islamic Cairo (AUC Press).

If is preferable to have at least a basic map (from your guide book) to be able to locate the starting point.  Start on Al-Azhar Street, on the same side as the Al-Azhar Mosque (directly through the El Ghuri complex of buildings).  Look out for the metal foot bridge which will bring you very close to the complex.

This part of the street is a very busy market, selling simple clothes, household linen etc.  The roof is covered at first, and this was in the past known as "The Silk Bazaar", made famous by the painting of David Roberts in 1839.

To enter the covered material market just take a right just after the Madrasa of Ghuri.

Continue walking until you reach the Mosque of Al-Muayyad (1430), the entrance door will be on your right.

                         Mosque of Al-Muayyad (1430)

The mosque is attached to the  impressive fortified gate of Bab Zuwaila (1092), the twin minarets belong to the mosque. This is one of the 3 remaining gates of the old city.  You may enter from a door on the right side, paying the entry fees on the 1st floor.  Climb the stairs to enjoy the view, and if you wish to go higher you must climb the narrow stairs in either of the minarets.

                                    Bab Zuwaila (1092)

                           View from the upper level

After walking through the gates you will see the entry to the covered market known as the "Street of the Tentmakers.  Here you will see all manners of beautiful applique' work, in the forms of cushion covers, wall hangings, minature tents (as a playhouse for children), carpets, shawls etc. 

                           Arabic Caligraphy in Applique'

     The roof and upper windows of the Tent Makers Bazaar

                  General view inside the Tentmakers Bazaar

I

                          Applique' Cushion Covers

To continue from this point and view other monuments etc.  you should have a detailed map and guide.  Alternatively - return back to Al-Azhar Street using the same route from which you came.