What does Khan el Khalili mean?
Khan el-Khalili (Arabic: خان الخليلي) is a famous bazaar and souq (or souk) in the historic center of Cairo, Egypt. It is also home to many Egyptian artisans and workshops involved in the production of traditional crafts and souvenirs.
When was Khan el Khalili built?
14th century
Originally built in 14th century as a caravanserai, Khan el-Khalili was a souk where traders from diverse regions gathered to sell their goods.
What are egyptian markets called?
In Muslim countries, especially in North Africa and the Middle East, the word used to describe a marketplace is a souk or suq/souq (suːk ). In the sprawling capital of Egypt, Cairo, one can find a smorgasbord of souks and bazaars to choose from.
Who founded Khan Al Khalili?
Khan El Khalili dates back to more than 600 years ago and named after its founder the Mamluk prince and well-known merchant (Jerksy al Khalili) during the Mamluky the period in 1400, at the Fatimid kingdom it was a massive necropolis for the Fatimid princes and sultans, but then came their first enemies and competitors …
Why you should visit Khan el Khalili?
Overflowing into the narrow streets of Islamic Cairo, this bustling market serves as the go-to place for authentic Egyptian souvenirs. Its labyrinth of alleyways houses a treasure trove of Egyptian jewelry, hookah pipes and spices.
What is special about Khan Al Khalili?
It is Egypt’s most famous market. Located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, near the Medieval walled city of the Saladin Citadel, the Khan el-Khalili market was built on the old burial site of the Fatimid Caliphs, who founded Cairo in the 10th century.
What kind of food does Egypt eat?
Egyptian cuisine makes heavy use of legumes, vegetables and fruit from Egypt’s rich Nile Valley and Delta. Examples of Egyptian dishes include rice-stuffed vegetables and grape leaves, hummus, falafel, shawarma, kebab and kofta. ful medames, mashed fava beans; kushari, lentils and pasta; and molokhiya, bush okra stew.
How Old Is Khan el Khalili?
What is a bazaar in Egypt?
Egypt is filled with a great number of markets and shops where all the magical goods of Egypt is stored and sold on a great display; one of the most famous market places in Egypt is the most visited market place on earth Khan El Khalili Bazaar which is a 500-year-old maze of streets, routes, stores and shops in the …
What kind of things can I buy in Khan El-Khalili?
Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, Egypt | Top 5 Buys
- Silver, copper and brassware. There are plenty of vendors of silver, copper and brassware.
- Gold and jewellery. Happily, the goldsmith souq still exists in the Khan El-Khalili bazaar.
- Shisha water pipes. Shisha water pipes are sold throughout the bazaar.
- Leather goods.
- Refreshments.
Where is the Khan el Khalili in Cairo Egypt?
Khan el-Khalili (Arabic: خان الخليلي ) is a famous bazaar and souq (or souk) in the historic center of Cairo, Egypt. Established as a center of trade in the Mamluk era and named for one of its several historic caravanserais, the bazaar district has since become one of Cairo’s main attractions for tourists and Egyptians alike.
What is the name of the gate in Khan el Khalili?
Bab al-Ghuri, a gate in Khan el-Khalili. Khan el-Khalili (Arabic: خان الخليلي) is a major souk in the historic center of Islamic Cairo. The bazaar district is one of Cairo’s main attractions for tourists and Egyptians alike.
How many khans are there in Khan al Khalili?
From the medieval period onward, the Khan al-Khalili area was made up of several major khans/wikalas grouped together, with souq streets existing between them. By the end of the Mamluk period in the early 16th century, there were 21 khans/wikalas in the district.
When did Badr al Gamali build Khan el Khalili?
Between 1087 and 1092, Badr al-Gamali, the vizier under Caliph al-Mustansir, undertook the task of enlarging the city and building the stone walls and gates that still partly exist today. At the same time he also opened the city to the common people, but the decision was quickly reversed.