English
the Cairo Tower
- Location: The Cairo Tower, also known as Borg Al-Qahira, is a free-standing concrete tower situated in the Gezira district of Cairo, Egypt. It presides over Gezira Island in the middle of the River Nile.
- Height: Standing at 614 feet (187 meters), it holds the distinction of being the tallest structure in Egypt and North Africa. Until the unveiling of the Hillbrow Tower in Johannesburg in 1971, it was also the tallest building on the African continent.
- Design Inspiration: The tower’s design is inspired by the lotus plant, a motif frequently used by Ancient Egyptians to symbolize the sun, creation, and rebirth. Its partially open lattice-work design evokes this pharaonic symbol.
- Construction and Materials: Construction began in 1954 and was completed in 1961. The tower was designed by prominent Egyptian architect Naoum Shebib. Its base and main staircase are carved from polished pink Aswan granite, a material often used by Ancient Egyptian architects. The tower itself is made of reinforced concrete, and its exterior is coated with 8 million tiny mosaics for protection against the elements.
- Political Context: Interestingly, the funds for building the Cairo Tower came from an unexpected source. Egyptian President Gamel Abdel Nasser revealed that the money originated from the Government of the United States. However, this was not the Americans’ intention. The $6 million gift was intended to encourage Nasser to end his support for the Algerian struggle against French colonialism. Offended by the bribe, Nasser used the money to construct the tower as a symbol of Arab resistance, strategically located across the river from the U.S. Embassy.
- Observation and Attractions: Today, the Cairo Tower serves as an observation point and communication hub. Visitors can ascend to the top for magnificent views of Cairo. The circular entrance lobby itself is an attraction, featuring a mural of mosaics depicting landmarks from the United Arab Republic, including the pyramids of Giza, Cairo’s Salah al-Din Citadel, the Umayyad mosque in Damascus, and the water mills of Hama.
