Each area, district, and square in Cairo has a story full of historical events and changes that Egypt went through over the ages. So, let’s find out the story of one of Cairo’s most famous districts, which is Abbasia District. Abbasia district connects between the east and west of Cairo. Moreover, it houses Egypt’s most prominent universities. In the past, Abbasia District was a barren desert called “Ridania” after Ridan El-Sekaly, member of the Fatimid Caliph El-Aziz Billah’s court. It was the site where Ridania battle took place in 1517 between the Mamluk forces under Al-Ashraf Tuman bay II and the Ottoman forces under Sultan Selim I, which ended by the defeat of the Mamluk forces and the execution of Tuman bay.
Later, the area suffered from neglect until Abbas Helmy Pasha I came to Egypt in 1848 and decided to build army barracks on the edge of the desert and laid the foundation of Abbasia District. Then Abbas Pasha encouraged people to reconstruct the area by land grant and built a school and hospital. He also built a large palace which the French engineer De Lesseps talked about saying that it has 2000 windows and it is like a whole city in the desert. Abbasia District was named after Abbas Helmy Pasha.
Its development
Abbasia District went through significant development during Khedive Ismail’s era as he built several military schools including Al-Bayada School “Infantry School” in 1864, Al-Sawari “Calvary School”, and Artillery School in 1865. He also built Army Staff School, and Mohandes khana School “Irrigation and Architecture” at Zaafaran Palace. Moreover, the Military School was moved to Zaafaran Palace to make it easier for students to carry out military training. Then, khedive Ismail built a horse racing track and shooting range, and Abbasia became a place for celebrations.
Major Events
Abbasia District has a rich history in Egypt’s Army ‘s records. During the Urabi revolution, 600 Egyptian officers held a meeting at the army barracks in Al- Abbasia on February 18th 1879 then they went on a military demonstration against the foreign intervention in Egypt with the participation of military school’s students, some soldiers, and three members of the Advisory Council. They finally succeeded in toppling the cabinet of Nubar Pasha and proved the ability of Egyptian officers.
Landmarks
Over time, several vital facilities spread across Abbasia District like the Greek Hospital, the Italian Hospital, Abbasia Mental Hospital, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Electricity, St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, and El-Husseinia School for Boys, and Al-Ahram Secondary School.
Abbasia, home to Egypt’s prominent figures
Many of Egypt’s leaders, politicians, and public figures lived in Abbasia District including the Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Naser, Field Marshal Abdel Hakim Amer, Lieutenant General Abdel Monem Riyad, former Minister of Defense Mohammed Sadiq, the Egyptian actors Salah Zulfikar and Abdel Rahman Abu Zahraa, and others.
Abbasia District on Google Maps
Last Update: 2024
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