November 8, 2024 2:46 pm
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Gayer Anderson Museum (Beyt El Kritliyya)

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Gayer Anderson Museum (Beyt El Kritliyya) is one of the most beautiful and intriguing examples of 17th-century Arab residential architecture still standing in Cairo, and it provides a perfect environment for ancient Egyptian, Coptic, and Islamic furniture, rugs, and artifacts. It’s off ‘Abd al-Magid al-Labban (Al-Salbiyya) Street in Sayyida Zeinab, Cairo, on the southeast corner of the Mosque of Ibn Tulun.

Gayer Anderson Museum (Beyt El Kritliyya)

Beyt El Kritliyya guided Tour
Gayer Anderson Museum guided Tour

The History of Beyt El Kritliyya

The museum is made up of two homes that are supported by the Ibn Tulun Mosque’s exterior wall. Hajj Mohammad Ibn al-Hajj Salem Ibn Galman al-Gazzar constructed the bigger home to the east (the farthest side in respect to the mosque) in 1632 (1041 AH). It was eventually acquired by a rich Muslim woman from Crete, and the house became known as Beit al-Kritliyya, or “House of the Cretan Woman.” Abdel-Qader al-Haddad erected the second home to the west (the innermost side concerning the mosque) in 1540 (947 AH).

A view of Ibn Tulun mosque from Beyt El Kritliyya
Day Tour to Islamic Cairo & Gayer Anderson Museum – Egypt Fun Tours

It was then dubbed “Beit Amna bint Salim” after its previous owner. The two homes were connected by a bridge at an unknown place on the third-floor level, and they are today known as Beit al-Kritliyya.

It was usual practice to build private residences against the mosque’s exterior wall, with access to both the homes and the mosque via small streets. The mosque of Ibn Tulun could not be seen from the outside owing to the homes in the early twentieth century, according to reports.

Gayer Anderson Museum - Gayer Anderson Museum guided Tour
Gayer Anderson Museum Guided Tour

As part of a campaign to make significant Islamic sites more accessible, the Egyptian authorities began clearing houses away from the mosque in 1928, many of which were in bad condition. The Committee for the Conservation of Arab Monuments, on the other hand, opposed the demolition of Beit al-Kritliyya since it was in such good condition.

Mashrabiya work in Gayer Anderson
Gayer Anderson Museum Guided Tour

The house was preserved, and after the surrounding homes were demolished, repairs were done to the side walls to reinforce them.

Gayer Anderson Museum guided tour
Museum Artifacts
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Alexandria! Wow!

November 7, 2024

Muhammad is the best! He showed me a world I never thought possible! The tombs in Alexandria by far was my favorite! I never knew there was a place on earth that contained both Greek and Egyptian carvings in the same tombs! The history and culture of Egypt is so fascinating! I highly recommend booking with Muhammad!

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James Risenhoover

Tour of Cairo

November 4, 2024

Despite a late start due to car trouble, Mohamed more than made up for it with his incredible knowledge and dedication. His explanations were detailed and thoughtful, and he went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. A memorable and informative tour, thanks to Mohamed’s hard work!

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Sebastian

AMAZING TOUR, SOLO TRAVELER.

October 12, 2024

I am a California woman who traveled to Egypt alone and thanks to Egypt Fun Tours I had a great time. Hani, Mohammed, Kamal and David (my driver) were very professional and very knowledgeable, I appreciate how respectful they were and how protective they were with me.

They show me everything I wanted to see in Cairo and nearby places like Saqqara, Memphis, etc. Thanks to them I had a great time in Egypt, they were so so helpful than on my second day they helped me to move from my hotel in Giza to the Steigenberger hotel in downtown Cairo.

The tour price is super good includes a guide (expert in the field) a driver, lunch and drinks, they took me to amazing places for lunch, the food was super super delicious, for a foodie like me that was a highlight. We went out fo the tourist traps and I got to see the Cairo that if you are in a bus tour you will never get to see.

This tour is personalized for each person depending of what you want to see and do, I absolutely love it.

I used WhatsApp to communicate with Hani and arranged all my tours, Hani was super super nice since the moment I contacted him and explained him what I wanted to do and see.

Hani and his group mesmerized me with the tours they put together, this is a memory I will keep for lifetime.

I had only good things to say about them and I highly recommend them.

I did visit the pyramids in Giza, downtown Cairo, new Cairo, several museums, Coptic Cairo and Muslim Cairo with them and I learned a lot from them, I felt like they were family to me and it was EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT.

If I go back to Egypt I will hire them again without hesitation.

David I take my hat off for you because I have NO IDEA how you can drive in crazy Cairo, thanks to all of you for making this lady’s dream a reality.

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Ladylalique - California

My Dream Came True

October 12, 2024

I had waited 60 years to get to Egypt, in fact it was my 60th birthday gift to myself. I went with my oldest daughter and the experience was excellent. It was meticulously planned by the tour company and was designed for me and my daughter. I never had a minute where I was concerned. We were met by a tour rep at the airport and every step of the way. The guides were beyond expectations. Mydo the best tour guide of Egypt was excellent and very knowledgeable. Tarek our guide for the south, was equally as knowledgeable. I can’t say enough about both. Hani the tour director is the greatest, personable and so very helpful and truly cares that you have the best experience of your life. It was a dream come true. All the holidays we stayed at were 5 star in my opinion. I don’t have a bad word to say about this tour company. My daughter and I were treated exceptionally well by all and by all in Egypt

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Jan K

Islamic cairo and khan el khalili- great tour

September 28, 2024

Wonderful tour with the guide Hamada. I did not feel rushed at all, he explained a lot of facts about the city, the mosque , the water storage room, and also brought me to no hassle shops. He picked a great place to eat and have Turkish coffee and a cold lemon mint drink. We took a took took when we got tired from walking. He also happens to be a great photographer and helped take beautiful pictures. Overall a wonderful tour and great experience.

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Janet
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