Memories Travel │ Egypt │ The oldest thing in Paris (?)

Ancient Egyptian civilization is probably the only remaining monuments and cultural relics in modern Egypt. The last dynasty of ancient Egypt, the Ptolemaic dynasty, basically ended in the housework between Octavian and Antony. That's the story about Cleopatra.

Beginning in the second half of the sixth century, the Arab kingdoms expanded rapidly, spanning Europe, Asia and Africa. Egypt is located on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, the border between Europe, Asia and Africa.

Egypt, which was invaded by the Persians, was reoccupied by Byzantium, the Byzantine army was driven out by the Arabs, and the Arab Empire brought Sunni Muslims into Egypt. Begins the Fatimid dynasty that everyone is familiar with, Fatima is the name of the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. The Fatimid dynasty is the green food in the textbooks.

In 1171, Nur-Din died, and the Saladin Guard supported him in a coup d’état, deposed the last caliph of the Fatimid dynasty, Adid, and established the Ayyubid dynasty in Egypt after successfully seizing power in 1174, serving as the first sultan of the dynasty. Also the first sultan of Syria.

In 1176, the Mokatam hill in the southeast of Cairo was selected to build this castle. He was also regarded as an Egyptian national hero who led the Arabs against the European Crusades. This castle was left to defend against foreign aggression at that time. .

Adjacent to the castle is the Mohammad Ali Mosque, as well as the Police Museum, but I didn't get a chance to go inside.

Walking behind the castle is a Turkish-style mosque. It is the Mohammad Ali Mosque, built in 1830, some say it was started in 1836. Ali was later buried here.

After the Ayyubid Dynasty was defeated by the Mongols, the Mamluk army overthrew the Ayyubid Dynasty, drove the Mongols out of Syria, controlled Egypt, and established the Mamluk Dynasty until the Ottoman Turks seized Egyptian territory in the 16th century. Egypt becomes a province of the Empire.

Later, Ali, who didn't know where he came from (different versions of his life), became the ruler of Egypt, established a modern army, and achieved brilliant political achievements. He was regarded as the founder of modern Egypt. The purpose of Ali and his son was to establish an independent Egypt. rather than to overthrow Ottoman Turkey.

As for the out-of-style clock tower in the mosque, that's another story.

In 1831, Ali, the governor of Egypt at the time, generously presented the obelisk of Ramses II with a history of more than 3,300 years in the Luxor Temple to the French King Louis-Philippe as a gesture of friendship. Legend has it that the one in Luxor can still stand well, because the technology was not developed at that time, and it was already tiring to transport one, so it has not been shipped yet. Ali is so generous that he gave away both. . However, in the 1990s, the French government returned the one that had not been sent to the Egyptian government, and it was able to remain in the Luxor Temple to show off for Ramses II.

The production of the obelisk is very complicated, because it must be formed in one piece. The obelisk was originally laid horizontally for shaping, carving and other works, and then the whole obelisk was hung up with a rope to make it stand upright. Therefore, it is very likely that during the production process, due to improper construction, climate, pressure and other factors, the entire obelisk will break. The obelisk that was delivered to France in 1833 was not erected until 1836. It was really a very, very expensive and time-consuming gift, so the Dharma King who knew the general situation gave it back to Ali with the bell tower.

I will definitely take a good look at the obelisk when I have a chance to go to Paris in the future.

The obelisk has been standing in Place de la Concorde next to the Louvre since 1836, but the clock has long gone.

Yeah, the French really earned it.