Tahrir Square in Cairo
Facts About Tahrir Square in Cairo
Tahrir Square in Cairo
Tahrir Square is the largest field in Cairo, Egypt, at the beginning of its establishment it was named after Ismailia Square, after Khedive Ismail, then the name changed to "Tahrir Square"; it was related to liberation from colonialism in the 1919 revolution and then the name was officially established in the July 23 Revolution in 1952.
The field simulates the Charles de Gaulle square, which houses the Arc de Triumph in the French capital, Paris.
Khedive Ismail was fond of the French capital Paris and even wanted to plan Cairo along the lines of Paris and create a field similar to the Champs-Elysées Square. Indeed, the Khedive Cairo, whose streets converge on a large square, was named the Ismailia Square about Khedive Ismail, whose name later became Tahrir Square.
Tahrir Square symbolized the freedom and steadfastness of the people when it witnessed several confrontations between protesters and the security forces, including the events of the 1919 revolution and the 1935 demonstrations against the English occupation and the bread revolution on January 18 and 19 of 1977, including the revolution of January 25 in 2011, and that revolution ended with the overthrow of the regime The ruler of President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, who has become a symbol of the demonstrators, their steadfastness, and their freedom.
Millions of Egyptians gathered in Tahrir Square on January 28, 2011, calling for the removal of former President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak from the Presidency of the Republic and taking the headquarters of their revolution until the Vice President announced in an official statement that the President abandoned his post on Friday evening, February 11, 2011, where the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces took over management The country's affairs temporarily for a period of six months. It is worth noting that after Mubarak stepped down, the protesters cleaned and staged a sit-in in the field until the overthrow of the government of Ahmed Shafiq on March 3, 2011.
Tahrir Square is now completely renovated with the placement of one of the masterpieces of ancient Egyptian architecture from Luxor city, an obelisk, and 4 sphinx statues from the avenue of sphinxes which connects the passageway between Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple in Luxor, the cost of the renovation is huge despite the speed of finishing all the works in less than one year.
Karnak Temple | The Largest Egyptian Temple
In the History of Egypt, you can learn about History Of Egypt | Egypt History Timeline and find out cool things about what happened in the past.
How Tahrir Square Got It's Name
Before it became known as Tahrir Square, the area was called Ismailia Square. The name came from Khedive Ismail, who wanted to develop Cairo and give it a more modern look. He was inspired by Paris and its famous streets and squares.
The square was designed as an open space in the middle of the city with several streets leading to it. This made it an important point in downtown Cairo, where people could easily reach different parts of the area.
The name Tahrir which means “liberation” became connected to the country's calls for freedom from British rule. The name was later officially used after the 1952 revolution. Today it remains a well known landmark in the heart of Cairo.
Tahrir Square in 2011
.jpg "Tahrir Square in 2011")
In January 2011 many Egyptians went to Tahrir Square to join the protests. People came to ask for changes in the country and the square quickly became the main place for the demonstrations.
For 18 days large crowds gathered in the square and some people stayed there day and night. News channels from different countries followed the events and showed what was happening in Cairo. On February 11 2011 Hosni Mubarak left the presidency after nearly 30 years in power.
Since then Tahrir Square has been closely linked to the 2011 revolution. Many people remember the days when the square was full of protesters and the events that took place there became an important part of Egypt's recent history.
Tahrir Square and Egypt's Protests
.jpg "Tahrir Square and Egypt's Protests")
Tahrir Square has been part of many important events in Egypt. In 1919 Egyptians gathered in the streets to protest against British rule. In 1935 students also took part in protests and called for the end of the British occupation.
In January 1977 people protested against higher food prices in what became known as the Bread Riots. Years later in 2011 the square became the main place for protests against President Hosni Mubarak. Many people gathered there for 18 days and on February 11 he stepped down from the presidency.
In June 2013, large protests took place across Egypt, including in Tahrir Square, as many people called for President Mohamed Morsi to leave office. All these events made the square an important part of Egypt's modern history. Its name is still connected to the protests and major changes that the country has seen over the years.
The Obelisk in Tahrir Square
In the middle of Tahrir Square there is a tall obelisk that comes from ancient Egypt. It has writings carved into the stone which makes it different from the buildings and streets around it. It is one of the things visitors may notice when they pass through the square.
The obelisk was brought from an ancient city called Tanis in the Nile Delta. It was placed in Tahrir Square during the renovation of the area. Four sphinx statues were also placed around it.
Having these old monuments in the middle of Cairo gives the square a different look. People can see ancient Egyptian art while walking through one of the busiest parts of the city. It is also a good chance to notice some of the details left by the ancient Egyptians.
The Sphinx Statues in Tahrir Square
.jpg "The Sphinx Statues in Tahrir Square")
If you visit Tahrir Square you will see four statues around the obelisk in the middle. These statues have the body of a lion and the head of a ram. They are part of ancient Egyptian art and are connected to the god Amun.
The statues were brought from Luxor where they were part of the Karnak Temple area. They were moved to Cairo during the renovation of Tahrir Square. Their old stone designs give visitors a small idea of what they can see in the temples of Luxor.
Today the statues are one of the things that make the square look different. Many people pass by them every day but not everyone knows their story. They are a reminder that ancient Egyptian monuments can still be seen in the middle of modern Cairo.