Last Ramadan just like many Egyptian families, I visited
Khan El-Khalili with my family where we had our breakfast and spent a very good time there
Million of Egyptians go to Khan Al-Khalili and Al-Hussein area in Ramadan to pray and to spend real good time.
As usual, I took more dozens of photos for this beautiful place Islamic Cairo. I went
there before in 2012 and I took a couple of photos but this time I took more.
Anyhow without further talk, Kodak Agfa proudly presents Khan Al-Khalili 2015.
Originally built as a Market in the time of the Mamluks from 6 centuries ago at least, Khan El-Khalili is still keeping its character for real in the ever-changing Cairo. Of course, now it is a touristic attraction with bazaars attracting foreigners more than locals, yet it is still active.
Of course in Ramadan, it had more Egyptians than any other nationalities.
![Khan El-Khalili Alley sign Khan El-Khalili Alley sign](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/442/18985850153_dd6db2c36c.jpg) |
Khan El-Khalili alley street sign |
I do not know the historical reason why you can find Belly dancers suits in Khan El-Khalili but they attract tourists whether Westerns or Arabs very well.
![Traditional, short and sequin belly dance suits in a shop at the entrance of the Khan Traditional, short and sequin belly dance suits in a shop at the entrance of the Khan](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/309/19610425711_2962abbfe4.jpg) |
Traditional, short and sequin belly dance suits in a shop at the entrance of the Khan |
Of course, besides Belly dancers shiny suits you can find traditional cotton galabiyas and scarfs with their traditional and oriental prints.
![Traditional galabiyas inside the Khan Traditional galabiyas inside the Khan](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/434/19442396068_7d55ae6d9c.jpg) |
Traditional galabiyas inside the Khan |
Copper products are everywhere whether lanterns or copper handmade shiny plates like those below.
The copper products are made in workshops inside and nearby the Khan.
![Copper plates Copper plates](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/19634678951_e666eaef5a.jpg) |
Copper plates |
And more Shiny souvenirs.
![Animal souvenirs Animal souvenirs](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/318/19108547313_b745d3a030.jpg) |
Animal souvenirs |
![Old style bags and duffel bags Old style bags and duffel bags](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/381/18983213924_09a71200c7.jpg) |
Old style bags and duffel bags |
And the leather bags made of natural leather here are popular than any other thing.
![Backpacks and satchels are available in all sizes and colours, well you won't find pink there Backpacks and satchels are available in all sizes and colours, well you won't find pink there](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/316/19659967206_d04d820a01.jpg) |
Backpacks and satchels are available in all sizes and colours, well you won't find pink there |
The silver accessories displays here are the Egyptian girl’s greatest dream comes true especially they are much cheaper than accessories and silver shops in Cairo.
![Tons and tons of accessories Tons and tons of accessories](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/289/19703949836_14e5f0bea8.jpg) |
Tons and tons of accessories |
The hookah aka Shisha in different sizes and shapes.
![Shisha is here Shisha is here](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/449/19785538025_31b7dbefd2.jpg) |
Shisha is here |
![This was not her place !! This was not her place !!](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/365/19108949463_b5a2f77ef3.jpg) |
This was not her place !! |
I can not totally figure out what was inscribed on that gate which leads to to a path full of tiny workshops except that it includes praises to God and mention about Prince Soliman Agha El-Slehadr and year “1225” or “1235” Hijiri.
Prince Soliman Agha was the man who was responsible for arming the Egyptian army during Mohamed Ali rule in the 19th century.
![Soliman Agha gate Soliman Agha gate](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/536/19599963082_759ec9b71b.jpg) |
Soliman Agha gate |
Inside Prince Soliman Agha gate.
![Inside the gate Inside the gate](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/431/19499629729_207efbbbfd.jpg) |
Inside the gate |
![Inside the gate Inside the gate](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/546/19064303604_bdd6c58899.jpg) |
From inside |
Now one of my favourite places in Khan El-Khalili which I regard as visually amazing in that old caravanserai is that the old Bab Al-Ghuri, which seems to be a magical gate or portal to another time at night when the small lamps and chandeliers shops inside it light their lamps and chandeliers
![Bab Al-Ghuri Bab Al-Ghuri](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/267/19067140003_9eee9ee32f.jpg) |
Bab Al-Ghuri |
![Bab El-Ghuri at night looks magical Bab El-Ghuri at night looks magical](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/528/19501465669_aa7c499556.jpg) |
Bab El-Ghuri at night looks magical |
![A Lady checking the lamps in Bab El-Ghuri A Lady checking the lamps in Bab El-Ghuri](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/356/19681556202_7434397300.jpg) |
A Lady checking the lamps in Bab El-Ghuri |
![Lamps and chandeliers make it more magical Lamps and chandeliers make it more magical](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/431/19681039142_98d8ce3b94.jpg) |
Lamps and chandeliers make it more magical |
![That chandelier is very popular in Khan El-Khalili, it is made of Copper. That chandelier is very popular in Khan El-Khalili, it is made of Copper.](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/456/19661583816_023e9e4748.jpg) |
That chandelier is very popular in Khan El-Khalili, it is made of Copper. |
![Alien Colored Eggs !! I want to buy one. Alien Colored Eggs !! I want to buy one.](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/356/19065084734_bfd50a415f.jpg) |
Alien Colored Eggs !! I want to buy one. |
Those egg-shaped coloured lamps are popular in Khan El-Khalili as it seems.
Here is Bab Al-Ghuri from inside in the afternoon.
![This is how it looks in the afternoon This is how it looks in the afternoon](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/450/18986237813_457a8a2fb1.jpg) |
This is how it looks in the afternoon |
Its ceiling is just amazing.
![The ceiling is amazing The ceiling is amazing](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/328/19501261679_98253cdec9.jpg) |
The ceiling is amazing |
I am trying to read what is written on that column but I have failed, nevertheless, the number inscribed below is 1350. I assume it is yea 1350 according to the Islamic calendar.
1350 Hijri years was 1931.
![Arabic inscriptions in Bab El-Ghouri Arabic inscriptions in Bab El-Ghouri](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/335/19500820720_59cc49e5e7.jpg) |
Arabic inscriptions |
Another gate I found there is the Bab El-Badistan Gate.
![Bab El-Badistan Gate Bab El-Badistan Gate](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/322/19630339045_5d206cefc5.jpg) |
Bab El-Badistan Gate |
Amazingly I found on twitter an old photo for the Bab El-Badistan Gate in 1967 according to
Arabian Aid twitter account.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44ZWHXbHgrmiByaNayIHjOpyR9euUhBn2S0KB85bbZFfY5ZuYKxUi6NEkMzLRsJFBYhmkqpNAgc1CehOj5cOX32O4HHlpEPEVXW5_RnFIwZoh3zTabUIN8bqdLxRCneXdHWYr/s320/CMxbTmWXAAAI7ye.jpg) |
Al-Badistan Gate in 1967 |
I could not stop myself from comparing it with the photos I took for Al-Badistan Gate in 2015.
![Bab El-Badistan Gate Bab El-Badistan Gate](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/506/19443907739_bbf273ea2e.jpg) |
In 2015 |
By the way,the old building on the left of the Al-Badistan gate in 1967 is now a fancy restaurant called “Naguib Mahfouz” which I highly recommend.
Here is the complete
photo album from Khan El-Khalili.
مصر ام الدنيا وحتبقى قد الدنيا
ReplyDeleteheheheheheh
DeleteEgypt Is Amazing
ReplyDeleteI like to come back to Egypt
I've been following your blog for a few weeks, and it is perfect! It's a great source of news and cultural information. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteExcellent slide show, Z. One of your best.
ReplyDeletewonderful pics. can´t wait to visit the Kairo bazaar soon.
ReplyDelete