Districts_detials

 

Cairo is full of suburbs and districts that hold the rich history of the city.  So, let’s find out today the story of one of Cairo’s oldest suburbs located on the Nile, which is Helwan district.  Due to its geographical location and historical roots, Helwan has always been of a great concern to geographers, historians, and politicians. 

Beginnings

In the Coptic era, Christians as well as Jews inhabited the area and built monasteries, churches, and synagogues. It was called “Hay- wan” and then the name became Helwan. Foreigners, especially Greeks and Italians, also lived in Helwan spreading Roman orthodox and Catholic churches in the area.  

In the Islamic era, the plague spread across Fustat city in 686 AD. So, Abdel Aziz ibn Marwan, Governor of Egypt during The Umayyad Caliphate, moved to Helwan city and built palaces and mosques in it. Abdel Aziz chose the name “Helwan” for this city because it had the same position and features of Helwan city of Iraq. Urbanization and prosperity continued in the area until the ottoman era then it was neglected and left to deterioration.

After years of neglect, Helwan restored its importance in Egypt’s modern history when Khedive Abbas Helmy ruled Egypt. As Helwan sulfur springs were then rediscovered and were used in treating soldiers form skin diseases spread in the army at this time. Afterwards, Khedive Abbas ordered to build a sulfur hammam for therapeutic purposes. Later, Europeans flowed to Helwan, but the difficulty of transportation and its remoteness prevented any investment in the area. In the Khedive Said period between 1854 and 1863, several rest stops were built around Helwan sulfur springs as well as a department to manage the visits and supervise the cleaning process to preserve its therapeutic elements.  Early in the Khedive Ismail period, they began to build more sulfur baths in the area and established a railway that ran from El-Manshia next to Qalaa street to Helwan district. Therefore, Helwan gained more fame all over the world, and more people came to live in it, especially rulers, Pashas, and rich people.  Moreover, Helwan became the capital of Egypt during the Khedive Tawfiq period, and he built the “Grand Hotel” in 1888, which is now Helwan Secondary School for Girls and Helwan Observatory as well as palaces, museums, and mosques. 

Helwan district houses many significant landmarks like Rokn Farouq Museum, the Japanese Garden, the Wax Museum, and Helwan Observatory, which is located on top of a limestone plateau. Helwan Observatory was built in 1903 and gained great fame due to its distinctive geographical location. It attracted astronomers from around the world who came to conduct joint scientific studies. Furthermore, the British astronomer Reynolds dedicated a 30- inch reflector to the Observatory.  The Observatory also has one of the world’s largest telescope.

Last Update: 2024