First visit the City of the Dead (Qarafa) that has been used as a burial ground for Cairo since its foundation in the 10th century. Then proceed to the the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali inside the citadel of Saladin. This beautiful mosque with its high minarets (269 ft/ 82m high) represents the Ottoman style of architecture and it dominates Cairo skyline.

The Mosque of Mohamed Ali is one of the most beautiful mosques in Cairo which sits by the Citadel overlooking modern Cairo. The minaret is majestic and almost like a miniature version of the sky scrapers that define our skyline today. Inside, there are gorgeous Iznik tiles.

The Cairo city of the Dead or the big Cemetery .

The City of the Dead is another strange part of Cairo where the graves are the closest thing to houses for some people. There are layers upon layers of graves, mausoleums and minarets. Some tombs are finely decorated with Arabic calligraphy while others are no more than rubble covered by a simple white dome.

This city within a city is surrounded by high walls, which once served to protect it from armed forces who would plunder graves for valuables inside them or just for fun. It's still possible to get into some areas where permission has not been given.