Family · Cairo
Heliopolis
Heliopolis (Masr El Gedida) in eastern Cairo, founded in 1905 as a garden-city style suburb and home to Cairo International Airport and the Baron Empain Palace.
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The story
Heliopolis, known in Arabic as Masr El Gedida, began as a suburb outside Cairo in the early 20th century and was later absorbed into the capital. It was founded in 1905 by the Heliopolis Oasis Company, headed by the Belgian industrialist Édouard Empain and by Boghos Nubar, son of Prime Minister Nubar Pasha. The name comes from the ancient Egyptian city of Heliopolis, whose ruins have been found in neighbouring Ain Shams. Today it is divided administratively into the districts of Masr El Gedida and El Nozha in Cairo's Eastern Area.
Good to know
- Modern Heliopolis was founded in 1905 by the Heliopolis Oasis Company.
- Cairo International Airport lies within the Heliopolis district, making it the first part of the capital many visitors see.
- Landmarks of the district include the Baron Empain Palace and Cairo International Airport.