Qasr al-Nil Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Qasr al-Nil Bridge spans the Nile River in central Cairo
, Egypt
. It connects downtown Cairo
to Gezira Island
and the Zamalek
district. At the bridge's east and west approaches there are two large stone lion
statues flanking each entrance, they are late 19th century works by French sculptor and animalier
Henri Alfred Jacquemart
. The newer and wider 6th October Bridge
parallels its route 0.8 kilometre (0.497098189319845 mi) to the south.
crosses over the Nile on the bridge, from the east bank area Tahrir Square—Liberation Square (Midan Tahrir) in downtown Cairo, past the huge The Mogamma
government building and the Headquarters of the Arab League, then onto the Qasr al-Nil Bridge over the river to Gezira Island. There it passes Opera Square and the Cairo Opera House
, with connections to the Cairo Tower
and other places in the Zamalek district, and then crosses on the Al-Tahrir Bridge from the island to the west bank's Agouza
district.
on February 4th, 1931. After over two years of construction, King Fuad inaugurated the bridge's opening on June 6th, 1933.
The bridge was originally named Khedive Ismail Bridge after King Fuad's father, Khedive
Isma'il Pasha
. After the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, the name of the bridge, as well as other Egyptian buildings and bridges, were changed. This bridge was renamed Qasr al-Nil in Arabic
, which translates as Palace of the Nile.
, along with the nearby 6th October Bridge
, for public demonstrations on it and as a major route east to the Midan Tahrir—Tahrir Square protest gatherings.
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. It connects downtown Cairo
Downtown Cairo
Downtown Cairo, , has been the urban center of Cairo, Egypt since the late 19th century, when the district was designed and built.-History:The area, designed by prestigious French architects was commissioned by Khedive Ismail...
to Gezira Island
Gezira Island
Gezira Island is located in the Nile River, in central Cairo, Egypt. The southern portion of the island contains the Gezira District, and the northern third contains the affluent Zamalek District....
and the Zamalek
Zamalek
Zamalek Sporting Club , is an Egyptian sporting club based in Meet Okba, Giza, Egypt that plays in the Egyptian Premier League....
district. At the bridge's east and west approaches there are two large stone lion
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
statues flanking each entrance, they are late 19th century works by French sculptor and animalier
Animalier
An animalier is an artist, mainly from the 19th century, who specializes in, or is known for, skill in the realistic portrayal of animals. "Animal painter" is the more general term for earlier artists...
Henri Alfred Jacquemart
Henri Alfred Jacquemart
Henri Alfred Marie Jacquemart , often known as Alfred Jacquemart, was a noted French sculptor and animalier....
. The newer and wider 6th October Bridge
6th October Bridge
The 6th October Bridge is an elevated highway in central Cairo, Egypt. The bridge and causeway crosses the Nile River twice from the west bank suburbs, east through Gezira Island to Downtown Cairo, and on to connect the city to the Cairo International Airport to the east.Its name commemorates...
parallels its route 0.8 kilometre (0.497098189319845 mi) to the south.
Route
Qasr el-Nil StreetQasr el-Nil Street
Qasr el-Nil Street, also spelled Qasr al-Nil, is a street in Downtown Cairo, Egypt. Qasr el-Nil Street is one of the biggest streets in the downtown Cairo area with many businesses, restaurants, and an active nightlife....
crosses over the Nile on the bridge, from the east bank area Tahrir Square—Liberation Square (Midan Tahrir) in downtown Cairo, past the huge The Mogamma
The Mogamma
The Mogamma , also spelled Mugamma is a government building in Cairo, Egypt. The Mogamma building was given as a gift by the Soviet Union and was ordered for construction in 1950. The building was completed in 1952, just before the revolution in Egypt...
government building and the Headquarters of the Arab League, then onto the Qasr al-Nil Bridge over the river to Gezira Island. There it passes Opera Square and the Cairo Opera House
Cairo Opera House
The Cairo Opera House , part of Cairo's National Cultural Center, is the main performing arts venue in the Egyptian capital. Home to most of Egypt's finest musical groups, it is located on the southern portion of Gezira Island in the Nile River, in the Zamalek district west of and near downtown...
, with connections to the Cairo Tower
Cairo Tower
The Cairo Tower is a free-standing concrete tower located in Cairo, Egypt. At , it has been the tallest structure in Egypt and North Africa for 50 years...
and other places in the Zamalek district, and then crosses on the Al-Tahrir Bridge from the island to the west bank's Agouza
Agouza
Agouza is a small district of Giza, on the shore of the Nile river. It is on the west bank of the Nile, lies between 6th October Bridge and 15th May Bridge, north of Dokki and south of Mohandesin districts. Although it lies very near to Mohandesin, but it is less affluent than it.It embraces the...
district.
Construction and name
The previous bridge on the site, Kobri el Gezira Bridge, was built in 1872. The foundation stone for the present Qasr al-Nil Bridge was laid by King Fuad IFuad I of Egypt
Fuad I was the Sultan and later King of Egypt and Sudan, Sovereign of Nubia, Kordofan, and Darfur. The ninth ruler of Egypt and Sudan from the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, he became Sultan of Egypt and Sudan in 1917, succeeding his elder brother Sultan Hussein Kamel...
on February 4th, 1931. After over two years of construction, King Fuad inaugurated the bridge's opening on June 6th, 1933.
The bridge was originally named Khedive Ismail Bridge after King Fuad's father, Khedive
Khedive
The term Khedive is a title largely equivalent to the English word viceroy. It was first used, without official recognition, by Muhammad Ali Pasha , the Wāli of Egypt and Sudan, and vassal of the Ottoman Empire...
Isma'il Pasha
Isma'il Pasha
Isma'il Pasha , known as Ismail the Magnificent , was the Khedive of Egypt and Sudan from 1863 to 1879, when he was removed at the behest of the United Kingdom...
. After the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, the name of the bridge, as well as other Egyptian buildings and bridges, were changed. This bridge was renamed Qasr al-Nil in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, which translates as Palace of the Nile.
Public use and demonstrations
The Qasr al-Nil Bridge, with sidewalks, is popular for strolling in the evenings. The bridge offers views of the river, as well as landmark buildings, hotels, and other structures on the island and along the Corniche Al-Nile on the west bank. The bridge is popular as location for young Egyptian friends and couples to have an inexpensive outdoor date.2011 Egyptian Revolution
The bridge has been an ongoing site in the 2011 Egyptian revolution2011 Egyptian revolution
The 2011 Egyptian revolution took place following a popular uprising that began on Tuesday, 25 January 2011 and is still continuing as of November 2011. The uprising was mainly a campaign of non-violent civil resistance, which featured a series of demonstrations, marches, acts of civil...
, along with the nearby 6th October Bridge
6th October Bridge
The 6th October Bridge is an elevated highway in central Cairo, Egypt. The bridge and causeway crosses the Nile River twice from the west bank suburbs, east through Gezira Island to Downtown Cairo, and on to connect the city to the Cairo International Airport to the east.Its name commemorates...
, for public demonstrations on it and as a major route east to the Midan Tahrir—Tahrir Square protest gatherings.