From the Arab conquest to the Arab Spring: in its capacity for architectural and social
transformation and in its tension between religious tradition and modern glitter Cairo is like
no other city in the Islamic world. In this book Swiss architect Thomas Meyer-Wieser
explores the idea of the North African city that was once the heart of ancient civilisation and
is now the capital of modern Egypt. As well as looking at more than 300 buildings he takes the
reader on 20 walks and excursions. ¿ The Arab conquest: 7th to 10th centuries ¿ Fatimid rule:
10th to 12th centuries ¿ The Golden Age: 12th to 15th centuries ¿ Ottoman provincial city: 16th
to 18th centuries ¿ 'Paris on the Nile': Cairo in the 19th century ¿ The modern metropolis:
20th to 21st centuries
