The Historical Houses of Egypt

One of the hidden treasures of the land of the pharaohs is the various historical houses of Cairo. Built in various periods of the Egyptian history from the 15th till the 20th century, there are many wonderful houses that served as the residence of wealthy tradesmen and governmental officials and were then transformed into museums that grab the attention of many travelers who tour Egypt. The Sehemy House rnBeit El Sehemy or the House of El Sehemy is one of the best historical houses of Egypt. Located in the famous Muiz Street in Fatimid Cairo beside many remarkable Islamic monuments like the Mausoleum of Qalaun and Mosque of Al Aqmar, the house was established in 1648 by one of the famous tradesmen and then the other part was built by Ismail Ibn Ismail Shalby. Several tourists who travel to Egypt pay the house a visit. rnThe house was named after the last one who lived there; El Sheikh Mohamed Amin El Sehemy, the head of the Turkish sector of Al Azhar Mosque. Today many travelers who spend their vacations in Egypt visit the house for its notable architecture and decorations. The entrance to the Sehemy House is through a passageway that leads into the Sahn of the house or the open courtyard, one of the classical features of the historical houses and Mosques of Egypt. Beit El Sehemy is highly influenced by the Ottoman styles of architecture. Therefore, the house is divided into two sections; the ground floor, the Salamlek, the section specified for men and guests, and the upper floor, the Haramlek, the section specified for women. El Sehemy House is featured with many wonderful Mashrabeya Screens and decorations that grab the attention of many tourists enjoying their vacations in Egypt. The Museum of Gayer Anderson The Gayer Anderson Museum or Beit El Kritleya, or the Women who came from Crete, as many other historical houses, consists of two houses. It is also situated in a distinctive location attached to the walls of the Mosque of Ahmed Ibn Tulun. This is why tourists spending their holidays in Egypt who explore the mosque are advised to pay the house a visit. Gayer Anderson was a doctor who served in the British army in Egypt. He fell in love with the land of the Nile and decided to continue his life in Egypt. He traveled around the country and collected many antiquities and left them in his house that is now one of the most interesting museums that attract many travelers who visit Egypt. rnWhen tourists who visit Egypt enter the museum, he finds himself in the open courtyard, or Sahn. Afterwards, the guests move around the wonderful sections of the house. There is for example the Persian Room, featured with its colors and amazing colors and architecture. The house is also characterized by hosting one of the most fascinating and well preserved historical ceremony halls in Egypt. This is in addition to the museum of the house and the roof that provides wonderful views of the Ahmed Ibn Tulun Mosque. Among the most notable displays in the Gayer Anderson Museum there is an original Pharaonic coffin, a statue of the head of Queen Nefertiti, wonderful Mashrabeya windows, and the amazing decorations of the walls and the ceilings of the house. It is worth mentioning that many scenes from the James Bond movie; The Spy Who Loved Me which was shot in 1977 took place in this startling historical house in Cairo.