Zamalek/ Gezira

Zamalek/ Gezira History of Zamalek / Gezira, and who developed it? Zamalek is one of the most esteemed Neighbourhoods in Cairo, which is an Island in the middle of the River Nile and is thought to be one of the Old Neighbourhoods. The secret of naming the Neighboourhood goes back to a Turkish word of origin which is Zamlak which translates into Wooden Huts or the nests, overlooking the River Nile , due to the fact that the Neighbourhood in the past was a place for hunting and the Fishermen kept their Tools in Huts so the word was changed into Zamalek. The Ancient Neighbourhood started to materialize during the Era of Khedive Ismail, who bought in Engineers from Italy and France to plan and construct the Neighbourhood next to the Gezira Saray which he built on an area of Sixty Acres, plus Zamalek boasts a large number of important archeological Monuments, of course it is also the Home of the famous Football Clubs, Zamalek and Ahly. The Zamalek neighbourhood is in a very good Location in the middle of the Governates of Cairo and Giza, so it is easily accessable through several Bridges of which the most famous and important is the 6th of October Bridge. The Arabic word for Island is Gezira but in Cairo it is most widely used to refer to a specific Island in the middle of the Nile between Daowntown Cairo and the Area in Giza which is known as Dokki. Untill the late Nineteenth Century the Island remained uninhabited, but in the Present Day it is Home to the quietest and leafiest neighbourhoods, Zamalek, the Cairo Opera House and Football Club Ahly. The Island which was originally developed by Khedive Ismail in the 1860s was part of the Lavish preperations for the Opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The whole of the Island was Landscaped to be a Garden for the extravagant Gezira Palace, which Ismail had built on the East Side of the Island. It is alledgedly reported that Ismail designed the Palace specifically to impress Empress Eugenie, who was the wife of Napoleon II of France with whom he was famously infactuated. The Palace which still stands Today has been incorporated into the Cairo Marriot Hotel and Omar Khayyam Casino and is surrounded by two Modern Towers. In the Hotel’s six Acre Gardens you can visit the only part of the original Gardens that have been preserved. Visit Zamalek which is on the North end of the Island and take a meandour in the quiet, Tree Lined Streets. In more recent Years the neighbourhood has been more substantially developed, however some of the Grand Villas that spread over the Island one Hundred Years ago when iot was a Zone reserved for Diplomats, Colonial Officials and the Egyptian Aristocracy still remains, Zamalek also hostes some of Cairo’s finest shops and Restaurants. Dominating the South ewnd of the Island are the Gezira Club, the Cairo Tower and the New Cairo Opera House. Originally the Gezira Club was the British Officers Club during the Colonial occupation, but Today however it is an exclusive Club populated by Foreigners and the Egyptian Elite, Cairo Tower which was constructed in 1962 by President Gamal Abdel Nasser, provides an impressive panoramic view over Cairo, and on a clear Day you can see both The Minarets of Cairo’s Citadel to the East and the peaks of the Pyramids in the West. The Opera House is a Towering Modern Update on Islamic architectural Traditions and has a Programme consisting of Opera, Ballet, Contemporary Music Performances and Theatre. Highlights. Marriot Gardens…. Take a Visit to the last remains of of the Royal Gardens that at one time covered the Gardens and enjoy a drink in one of Cairo’s most Luxurious Hotels. Cairo Opera House…. Why not take a break from the Hustle and Bustle of the Throbbing City and enjoy a Show at the Opera House. Cairo Tower…. Take the opportunity to take in the best views you will find in Cairo from the top of the Cairo Tower, which is beautiful by Day or by Night, plus there is a Restaurant on the Roof where you can enjoy a Great Meal. Sequoia…. This is a Luxurious Outdoor Restaurant at the Northern point of the Island which offers delicious Lebanese/Egyptian Mezza, plus fabulous views of the River, and an ambiance which you will find nowehere else. La Bodega…. This atmospheric Restaurant in the Historic Baelier Building on the 26th July Street in Zamalek, offers two Separate Restaurants, The Bistro which offers French Cuisine, plus Aperitov which offers delicious Italian Cuisine.