Capture Life in Cairo’s City of the Dead with This Reel Tour

Do not let the name fool you. Amongst its labyrinth of impossibly narrow alleyways, Cairo’s City of the Dead is an urban enclave, filled with a living culture amidst a wealth of heritage sites. Maq'ad of Sultan Qaitbey (MASQ), a cultural centre dedicated to celebrating life in the City of the Dead,  is inviting people to explore the northern area of the cemetery dubbed the ‘Desert of the Mamluks’ on a walking ‘Reel’ tour, giving visitors an opportunity to capture its cultural heritage through the popular Instagram video format.

You will be able to daydream of medieval tales and royal fables as you meander through the final resting place of great dignitaries, sultans, scholars and religious leaders. This tour doesn’t just venture into Egypt’s past, but brings people to the doorsteps of the local community that call the medieval necropolis home, transcending past and present, life and death.

Organised with architectural firm ARCHiNOS and tourist group Redefine Egypt, the tour is part of a wider series designed to preserve Cairo’s unique architectural character and introduce younger generations of Egyptians to their rich heritage through photography and content creation. These small edited videos known as ‘Reels’ give travellers the chance to tell the story of each passageway, ornate minaret and royal tomb in less than 15 seconds. 

The walks will conclude with a Photography and Multimedia Competition and Exhibition at MASQ featuring winning photos and reels selected by a professional jury.

Come equipped with your cameras and phones at the entrance of the Qubbat Effendina on January 15th at 1:00 PM, and wander through the treasure-lined alleys of the Northern Cemetery.