ARCHiNOS Architecture announces launch of interactive virtual experience “Alive in the City of the Dead in Cairo” on April 18

CAIRO – 11 April 2021: ARCHiNOS Architecture announces, on behalf of the project's supporters and funders, the launch of the interactive virtual experience “Alive in the ‘City of the Dead’ in Cairo” on April 18, 2021.

This website focuses on an area exceptionally rich in tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the area known as the "Desert of the Mamluks” which contains Muslim cemeteries built since the Middle Ages.

Known in some foreign sources as the "City of the Dead", this neighborhood, developed in parallel with the development of the city itself. The neighborhood has been known as a cemetery area and a residential neighborhood at the same time. It includes among its borders an impressive living community.

This new website explains the history of the region in three languages: Arabic, English and French. Its main components include an interactive map, pictures and detailed explanations to provide various ways to identify the 32 sites within this neighborhood. These sites vary between open spaces and ancient buildings.

In addition to the detailed explanation and photographs, the browser of this interactive website can explore fourteen sites within these sites through interactive 3D photographs. These 3D images contain some pop-ups within the site, which provide more information and a detailed explanation. The site also contains a documentary film that takes the browser on a tour through the region.

All information on the site is based on accurate studies and research. Rather, it includes new discoveries that increase our understanding of this rich cultural heritage spanning many centuries.

ARCHiNOS Architecture chose to focus on this area due to the office's long-standing interest in researching, documenting and preserving the tangible and cultural heritage in the Desert of the Mamluks neighborhood.

This new project aims to promote the area, change misconceptions about its residents, and provide information on cultural activities that benefit visitors and the local community alike.

The French Institute in Cairo has provided generous support for the research and construction of the site, while the Friends of the Manial Palace Association supported the informational part of the Khedivial Mausoleum.

The “Alive in the ‘City of the Dead’" project began before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but its importance and necessity increased greatly after it. Significant restrictions on movement have been imposed due to social distancing measures, creating a greater desire to produce virtual visits to cultural sites.

This website and the virtual experience "Alive in the “City of the Dead” were produced in Cairo between December 2020 and February 2021.

It is a project funded by the French Institute in Cairo, with the contribution of the Friends of the Manial Palace Association. ARCHiNOS Architecture carried out the project in conjunction with the project ‘Heritage for the Living in the “City of the Dead”’ that is financed by the European Union and the Drosos Foundation.

ARCHiNOS Architecture is grateful to the contributions of many other donors.