The Cities Series: Iconic Cairo, the city of a thousand minarets
The Fatimids founded the city that would become the capital of their Mediterranean empire and called it Al-Qahirah or the Victorious City. From the moment of its foundation to modern times, Cairo has always been an iconic city, at the centre of many important events that have characterized the history of the Islamic world.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
The study day will focus on the layered history of Cairo. A number of significant Islamic dynasties have chosen this city as the seat of their power, thanks to it is key position between the western and eastern parts of the Islamic World and it is easy access to the Mediterranean Sea.
What will we cover?
The study day will retrace the main stages of the history of the capital of Egypt - from its founding by the powerful Fatimids to becoming the capital of the equally powerful Mamluks; from the conquest by the Ottomans and its transformation into a province of the empire; and its fundamental role in the difficult Middle Eastern chessboard in more recent times.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Distinguish the most important events in the history of Cairo from the time of foundation to the 20th century;
Reflect on and discuss the significance of the political use of imperial symbols, whether capitals, buildings or art;
Identify the period and the area of production of the art objects we will see at the Islamic Art Galleries of the British Museum;
Discuss their patterns and production techniques;
Establish skills of critical and visual analysis
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is introductory and everyone is welcome. As with most of our history and current affairs courses, an open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree along with a good grasp of English are more important than specific levels of skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching is intended to be interactive. PowerPoint presentations with a wide range of slides will accompany the prepared talks. Questioning is welcomed throughout. Handouts with a selected bibliography and other helpful information for further self-study will be provided on Google Classroom.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, but please bring writing material and your eagerness to learn a lot about the history of Cairo.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may be interested in the following course: The advent of Islam in Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and Algeria scheduled for 31.01.27
Roberta Marin completed her BA in Fine Arts in Italy and holds an MA in Islamic Art and Archaeology from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. She has travelled extensively in the Mediterranean area and her field of interest includes Mamluk art and architecture, the history of Oriental carpets and Modern and Contemporary Art from the Arab world and Iran. She collaborates with the Khalili Collection of Islamic Art and has taught courses on various aspects of Islamic art and architecture in private and public institutions in the United Kingdom, Italy and Saudi Arabia.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-cities-series-iconic-cairo-the-city-of-a-thousand-minarets3048700The Cities Series: Iconic Cairo, the city of a thousand minaretshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/social-anthropology-1024.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Middle East & North Africa228511771178135601228511771178<p>The Fatimids founded the city that would become the capital of their Mediterranean empire and called it Al-Qahirah or the Victorious City. From the moment of its foundation to modern times, Cairo has always been an iconic city, at the centre of many important events that have characterized the history of the Islamic world.</p>003048679The Cities Series: Iconic Cairo, the city of a thousand minarets7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/social-anthropology-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-11-07T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH2667979The Cities Series: Iconic Cairo, the city of a thousand minarets635179Roberta Marinthe-cities-series-iconic-cairo-the-city-of-a-thousand-minarets/hwh266-2627<p>The Fatimids founded the city that would become the capital of their Mediterranean empire and called it Al-Qahirah or the Victorious City. From the moment of its foundation to modern times, Cairo has always been an iconic city, at the centre of many important events that have characterized the history of the Islamic world.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-07 00:00:00<p>The study day will focus on the layered history of Cairo. A number of significant Islamic dynasties have chosen this city as the seat of their power, thanks to it is key position between the western and eastern parts of the Islamic World and it is easy access to the Mediterranean Sea. </p><p>The Fatimids founded the city that would become the capital of their Mediterranean empire and called it Al-Qahirah or the Victorious City. From the moment of its foundation to modern times, Cairo has always been an iconic city, at the centre of many important events that have characterized the history of the Islamic world.</p><p>The study day will retrace the main stages of the history of the capital of Egypt - from its founding by the powerful Fatimids to becoming the capital of the equally powerful Mamluks; from the conquest by the Ottomans and its transformation into a province of the empire; and its fundamental role in the difficult Middle Eastern chessboard in more recent times.</p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Distinguish the most important events in the history of Cairo from the time of foundation to the 20th century;</li><li>Reflect on and discuss the significance of the political use of imperial symbols, whether capitals, buildings or art;</li><li>Identify the period and the area of production of the art objects we will see at the Islamic Art Galleries of the British Museum; </li><li>Discuss their patterns and production techniques;</li><li>Establish skills of critical and visual analysis</li></ul><p></p><p>This course is introductory and everyone is welcome. As with most of our history and current affairs courses, an open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree along with a good grasp of English are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>Teaching is intended to be interactive. PowerPoint presentations with a wide range of slides will accompany the prepared talks. Questioning is welcomed throughout. Handouts with a selected bibliography and other helpful information for further self-study will be provided on Google Classroom.</p><p>There are no additional costs, but please bring writing material and your eagerness to learn a lot about the history of Cairo.</p><p>You may be interested in the following course: The advent of Islam in Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and Algeria scheduled for 31.01.27</p>HistoryThe Middle East & North Africavirtual637951HWH266NONESat07/11/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetRoberta MarinBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-11-07T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026Culture, history & humanities7979The Cities Series: Iconic Cairo, the city of a thousand minaretsthe-cities-series-iconic-cairo-the-city-of-a-thousand-minarets/hwh266-2627<p>The Fatimids founded the city that would become the capital of their Mediterranean empire and called it Al-Qahirah or the Victorious City. From the moment of its foundation to modern times, Cairo has always been an iconic city, at the centre of many important events that have characterized the history of the Islamic world.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-07 00:00:00<p>The study day will focus on the layered history of Cairo. A number of significant Islamic dynasties have chosen this city as the seat of their power, thanks to it is key position between the western and eastern parts of the Islamic World and it is easy access to the Mediterranean Sea. </p><p>The Fatimids founded the city that would become the capital of their Mediterranean empire and called it Al-Qahirah or the Victorious City. From the moment of its foundation to modern times, Cairo has always been an iconic city, at the centre of many important events that have characterized the history of the Islamic world.</p><p>The study day will retrace the main stages of the history of the capital of Egypt - from its founding by the powerful Fatimids to becoming the capital of the equally powerful Mamluks; from the conquest by the Ottomans and its transformation into a province of the empire; and its fundamental role in the difficult Middle Eastern chessboard in more recent times.</p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Distinguish the most important events in the history of Cairo from the time of foundation to the 20th century;</li><li>Reflect on and discuss the significance of the political use of imperial symbols, whether capitals, buildings or art;</li><li>Identify the period and the area of production of the art objects we will see at the Islamic Art Galleries of the British Museum; </li><li>Discuss their patterns and production techniques;</li><li>Establish skills of critical and visual analysis</li></ul><p></p><p>This course is introductory and everyone is welcome. As with most of our history and current affairs courses, an open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree along with a good grasp of English are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>Teaching is intended to be interactive. PowerPoint presentations with a wide range of slides will accompany the prepared talks. Questioning is welcomed throughout. Handouts with a selected bibliography and other helpful information for further self-study will be provided on Google Classroom.</p><p>There are no additional costs, but please bring writing material and your eagerness to learn a lot about the history of Cairo.</p><p>You may be interested in the following course: The advent of Islam in Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and Algeria scheduled for 31.01.27</p>HistoryThe Middle East & North Africaconfigurable
135601178The Middle East & North Africahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/the-middle-east-north-africa1/2/285/1177/1178/135601/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Middle East & North Africa
