Summary
- Creation and Transformation: Established through the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the park transformed a neglected area in Cairo into a lush oasis, showcasing Islamic architecture amidst greenery.
- Historical Revival: The park’s creation involved clearing debris and reclaiming land, unearthing historical remnants like the Ayyubid Wall, dating back centuries.
- Location and Recognition: Situated in Cairo’s historic district, it’s a testament to urban renewal, recognized for its contribution to preserving cultural heritage and environmental significance.
- Design and Features: Its design reflects Islamic landscape traditions with orchards, fountains, and classical architectural styles, emphasizing sustainability and suitability for Cairo’s climate.
- Community Impact: Beyond aesthetics, the park’s restoration revitalized the surrounding Darb al-Ahmar area, creating employment, restoring historical sites, and empowering locals through skills development.
- Park Highlights: Spanning 72 acres, the park boasts gardens, pavilions, water features, and scenic vistas, offering visitors a serene escape and hosting cultural events, exhibitions, and recreational activities.
Al Azhar Park is a celestial slice of green paradise created by the grace of God and provides ultimate bliss and allure at the heart and soul of every single traveler to Egypt. It was created by the Historic Cities Support Program of the AKTC “Aga Khan Trust for Culture“. Although it was once a neglected expanse in Cairo, it has become a miraculous transformation and started to become a very famous tourist destination in Egypt. This miraculous marvel was established by angels to provide a magnificent glimpse of a beautiful mixture of great Islamic structures merged within a magical landscape of greenery.
Al Azhar Park for many generations has acted as the lung of Cairo for generations, contributing to the serenity and clarity of the entire capital. The vital 30 hectares of Al Azhar Park have given life to the city of minarets and miracles that made it transform into the most magnificent open-air museum on the face of the planet. Through exploring this heavenly park, everyone will discover the beauty and power of the force of nature that has graced Cairo, with the sight of beautiful botany creations that carry incredible tales and meanings.
Al Azhar Park History
The phenomenal Azhar Park came into existence in 1984 when Aga Khan IV visited Cairo during a conference and noticed the marvelous Al-Darassa hill, which is a historical site filled with 500 years of debris and ruins. He decided to transform this medieval area into a green oasis within the city through a Programme known as Historic Cities Support. He allocated $30 million for the project and entrusted it to a national architecture and urbanism firm. Clearing the site held many significant challenges due to centuries of accumulated debris. The processes of excavation, grading, and replacement with the right filling is about 160,000 m3, which took place around 1992 and involved the removal of 1.5 million cubic meters of rubble and soil, equivalent to over 80,000 truckloads.
The land was covered with good soil in order to make it able to grow life. During the project, the government added a new requirement to integrate three cisterns into the terrain to enhance the city’s water supply, leading to a revision of the park’s design. The redesigned layout divided the park into five sections based on slope inclination, featuring two hills on the south and north sides, a flat area to the north, a rolling topography hill to the east, and a steep western slope.
The designers emphasized incorporating classical Islamic landscape traditions in order to preserve the historical legacy of the site. This is evident in various architectural styles from different regions and periods, including orchard spaces, shaded sitting areas, and Fatimid archways utilized in constructing park buildings. Timurid and Persian influences are seen in fountains and water channels. The Nile River was the main source for feeding the water ponds in the park. Careful consideration was given to the choice of plantations based on the landscape and soil quality. The American University in Cairo conducted tests to ensure that the flora selected for the park were suitable for the local climate.
The gardens of al-Azhar were inaugurated in 2005, combining historical Islamic garden elements with modern design. The park features formal gardens, fountains, sunken gardens, Mamluk stonework, intersecting waterways, and Islamic geometric patterns. The park has playgrounds, cafes, and scenic overlooks, and it is supported by a reservoir made especially for the project.
During the excavation of the epic Al-Azhar Park, a remarkable discovery was made beneath layers of debris. A piece of the Ayyubid Wall was discovered to extend 1.5 km in length and hold a depth of 15 m. This historic wall and its associated towers are known to date back to the Ayyubid period, which was revealed in their full grandeur. It became clear that this rediscovered treasure was an integral part of the project of the park. Over the centuries, the stone wall had suffered from various forms of deterioration, which included disaggregation and flaking.
The wall segment was characterized by its consistent construction, featuring curtain walls, round-fronted towers, and the use of uniform materials. It was adorned with crenellations, stairwells, arrow slits, and chambers. The restoration efforts included two former eastern city gates, namely Bab al-Barqiyya and Bab al-Mahruq, which were uncovered and brought back to their original glory as part of this significant historical preservation project.
The revitalization of Darb al-Ahmar was brought to the forefront by the discovery of the Ayyubid wall during the Al-Azhar Park project, which had a significant impact on this historically impoverished neighborhood in Cairo. The area had long suffered from a lack of basic services, including rubbish collection and sanitation, primarily due to its proximity to the city dump. The improvement brought by the park project posed a new challenge which is the potential for gentrification that could displace the existing residents with luxury developments. The area contained over sixty historical attractions in dire need of restoration.
In response to these challenges, new funding sources, including the Ford Foundation and the Egyptian-Swiss Development Fund, were sought to continue the revitalization of Darb al-Ahmar. The historical monuments were carefully restored and rehabilitated with a focus on functionality. This included rebuilding the madrasa of Umm al-Sultan Shaaban and the minaret of the mosque, according to historical research. The project expanded to contain various public spaces and buildings.
The sustainable development program aimed at socio-economic growth introduced various initiatives to leverage the skills of the local population, including small family businesses like carpentry and tile making. It included training workshops and the revival of traditional crafts like arabesque wood carving. Mass employment opportunities were created through projects like the Ayyubid wall restoration, which not only employed local residents but also offered training workshops. Additionally, the community actively participated in maintaining the park.
The program also provided apprenticeships in diverse fields like computers, mobile phone services, and office skills. Micro-credit initiatives supported more than 400 individuals in advancing their businesses. Notably, the project had a strong focus on empowering women, with a significant number of female participants in the training sessions. Al-Azhar Park project made significant contributions toward achieving several of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It contributed to eradicating extreme poverty through micro-credit and employment generation, ensuring environmental sustainability by rehabilitating cultural and natural assets, and promoting global/local partnerships and networks by pooling the resources of contributors.
Location And How To Get to The Park
The magnificent Al Azhar Park is known to be the sixth biggest public space which is found within Salah Salem Street, El-Darb El-Ahmar, in the Cairo Governorate. Everyone will get to witness some of the most golden works of art and architecture that rose next to the biggest green space ever created, which came in the shape of mosques, minarets, madrasas, and mausoleums.
The park is located across the eastern section of the City of the Dead, which houses many tombs of Mamluk Sultans & high-ranking officials. This greenery heaven holds the luxurious Sultan Hassan Mosque in its southern part, plus within its surroundings is the glorious Ayyubid Cairo Citadel.
Gardens Of Al Azhar Park
The Azhar Park is a 72-acre space of greenery with an architectural design inspired by a historical Islamic garden that contains some of the most incredible water fountains leading in the direction of a small lake plus alleyways leading to Cairo Citadel. The entrance is decorated with beautiful gardens and pavilions displaying a classic Islamic design and is entirely surrounded by geometrically arranged orchards.
The park has a magnificent collection of enchanting plants, which made it earn the title of one of the world’s greatest 60 places and the global vision innovation award in 2005 from Travel + Leisure magazine. Al Azhar Park operates a sustainable entity that has acted as a catalyst for a range of urban regeneration projects in its vicinity for many ages. Its success serves as a replicable model for the development of other historic cities all over Egypt. Across the park are a number of incredible walkways, hills, pools, formal gardens, informal picnic areas, cafes, plazas, and restaurants.
What To Do In Al Azhar Park
Al Azhar Park is a living symbol of how thoughtful urban planning and conservation efforts can transform a city, making it more livable and culturally vibrant while preserving its historical heritage. Everyone can find a diverse number of experiences that promise to make your visit truly unforgettable. Here’s a glimpse of the captivating attractions that will fill your day with excitement and create everlasting memories:
A Journey Amongst Flowers and Trees
Everyone can go on a captivating tour through the park’s dense greenery and vibrant blooms. Walking amongst the magical trees and flowers of Al Azhar Public Park feels like stepping into a piece of natural paradise, offering a serene environment for relaxation and memory-making. The park boasts a diverse array of exquisite plant species that invite you to unwind, soak in the splendid surroundings, and marvel at nature’s creations.
Unforgettable Photo Sessions
The park’s captivating landscape represents an unforgettable and beautiful photo session. The vibrant greenery and epic scenic views will enhance your pictures, ensuring your true beauty shines in the most flattering light. Photo sessions at this magical attraction promise a fun and memorable experience, bringing out the best in everyone and providing a perfect memento of your visit.
Handicraft Gallery
The park’s hidden gem is an extraordinary handicraft gallery that showcases an array of exquisite, handcrafted items inspired by Egypt’s rich Islamic history and cultural heritage. Each piece carries a story that reflects Egypt’s grandeur, majesty, and innovation, spanning over 5,000 years of history. Your journey through the gallery will be a cultural and artistic exploration.
Kid’s Area
Al Azhar Park’s kid’s area is a haven of joy and entertainment for children of all ages. Packed with a wide range of toys and activities, it ensures your children have a fantastic time in a safe and secure environment. Watch as their faces light up with delight, knowing that they’re in for an unforgettable experience filled with fun and laughter.
Al Azhar Park Facts
- Al Azhar Park is situated in the historic district of Islamic Cairo, near the famous Al Azhar Mosque, which is one of the oldest universities in the world.
- The park has a relatively recent history compared to its surroundings. It was built in the late 20th century, specifically during the 1990s and early 2000s.
- Al Azhar Park is a project of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which is part of the Aga Khan Development Network. The park is a testament to the AKTC’s commitment to preserving and revitalizing historical and cultural landmarks.
- The primary goal of Al Azhar Park was to restore and revitalize the neglected and dilapidated historic area of Islamic Cairo while also creating a green space for the city’s residents.
- The park’s construction involved a massive land reclamation project. It was built on a former landfill, transforming a vast area of urban decay into a lush green oasis.
- The park was designed to reflect traditional Islamic garden styles, featuring elements such as terraced gardens, fountains, water features, and shaded walkways. It also provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding historic district and the city of Cairo.
- Al Azhar Park not only beautifies the city but also serves an environmental purpose. It helps reduce pollution and provides a much-needed source of fresh air in the bustling metropolis.
- The park often hosts cultural events, including concerts, art exhibitions, and educational programs. It has become a hub for cultural exchange and appreciation.
- The park has played a role in preserving and restoring the historic landmarks in its vicinity, such as the Ayyubid Wall and the Qalawun Complex.
