Al-Muizz Street, a gem in Islamic Cairo

CAIRO – 6 July 2022: Muizz Street, also known as Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah Al-Fatimi Street in Islamic Cairo, is one of the ancient streets in Cairo and is approximately 1 kilometer in length.

A United Nations study discovered that the street hosts the greatest collection of medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world. The street is named after Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah, the fourth caliph of the Fatimid Dynasty.

It stretches from Bab Al-Futuh in the north to Bab Zuweila In the south. In 1997, the national government carried out extensive renovations to the historical buildings, modern buildings, and sewerage to turn the street into an "open-air museum".

On April 24, 2008, Al-Muizz Street was converted into a pedestrian only zone between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., allowing tourists and locals to walk freely without the disturbance of traffic. However, cargo traffic is allowed outside of the mentioned hours.

The northern part of the street extends from Al-Hakim Mosque in the north to the Spice Market at Al-Azhar Street and includes the antiques markets section, Al-Aqmar Mosque(one of the few extant Fatimid mosques), the Qalawun complex, and several well preserved medieval mansions and palaces.

The southern part extends from the Ghuriya complex to Bab Zuweila and includes the magnificent Tent Market in the Gamaliya district.

The area around the historic Muizz Street and the main street host several historical buildings spanning from the era of Amr Ibn el-As over the Tulunid, Fatimid, Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods to Muhammad Ali Era.

The following monuments still exist on the street or very close to it: Mosque of Al Hakim bi Amr Allah, Wikala of Qaytbay, Mausoleum of Ahmad Al-Qazid, Wikala of Qawsum, Sabil-Kuttab of Oda Bashi, Mosque of Abu Bakr Muzhir, Madrasa of Al-Kamil Ayyub, Musafirkhana Palace, among many others.

The historical street is the best place to discover the Islamic civilization. It's a great experience to have a walking tour at Muizz Street.

The walk may begin from Azhar mosque, one of the most significant medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world, and end at Bab Zuweila, a medieval gate which is considered as one of the most important landmarks of Cairo.

Located nearby, Al-Hussein Mosque is one of the holiest Islamic sites in Cairo. Also, Khan El Khalili, a major souk in the Islamic Cairo and one of Cairo's main attractions for tourists and Egyptians alike, is located in the area around Muizz. Khan El Khalili is the ideal location to buy souvenirs and to enjoy a great lunch or dinner.