Shubra District of Cairo Egypt

In the past, Shubra was much smaller, and more aristocratic. Now, it is home to millions of Egyptians in often-crowded conditions, most of whom belong to lower middle and lower classes. About 40% of the Shubra population are Coptic Christians, and many come from Upper and Lower Egypt to live there.

In the 17th century, Mohamed Ali, the ruler who modernised Egypt, built himself a palace in Shubra and extended Shubra Street all the way to his palace in 1808. It was recorded that the street had fig and date trees on its sides, and that a large mill was established nearby, known to the locals as Al Mabyada, for its production of white linen. Many residents were employed there.

Real development came to Shubra in 1902, when the tramline was introduced to the district: first on Shubra Street and then in the Rod El Farag area a year later. The tram continued to run until the end of the 20th century, when it was made redundant by the underground metro line. Shubra has always been strategically important to rulers of Egypt, being the connection between Cairo and the north.

The first railway line in Egypt from Cairo to Alexandria started in Shubra in 1854. The Rod El Farag market, which used to be the largest in all Egypt and was featured in many old movies, is why many regional farmers and traders settled in nearby Shubra. Another factor was a shipbuilding yard in Boulak in the early 19th century. The area is now very near the present-day TV building, a landmark on the Nile, where a railway bridge crosses the river.

It is estimated that the population of Shubra ranges between four to five million Egyptians, which means it contains more than a quarter of all the population of Cairo. In some inner areas of Shubra, the population density is 75,000 per square kilometre. About five million people commute daily into and out of Shubra!

Shubra Street north will lead to two landmarks, the beautifully decorated Hageen Mosque, followed by the Catholic St. Teresa church.

Going south will reveal a variety of shops for shoes, fashion, sweets, nuts, fish, and department stores. In Kholosy Street itself, a walk towards Teraa Boulakia Street should beat any downtown fashion shops, at discounts of about 20-30 percent. There are many banks, complete with ATM machines, which accept all credit and payment cards and give out Egyptian banknotes. After the sightseeing and the shopping, the rest of Cairo is a few metro stops away. One word of caution though: English is not widely spoken in Shubra, so take a local guide, if you can. Otherwise try to practice your Arabic. Either way, you will be treated like the only VIP in town.

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