is a vast necropolis (a cemetery) in Cairo that has served as a burial site for nearly 1,400 years. A Brief History of Cairo’s City of the Dead With its origins dating back to the 7th century, this cemetery is a testament to the city’s rich history and complex cultural landscape. The City of the Dead coincided with the Islamic conquest of Egypt led by Amr ibn al-‘As, marking the beginning of a significant transformation in the region’s burial practices and urban development. Al-Qarafa began as a burial ground for various Arab tribes who settled in the area following the founding of Fustat, the first capital of Islamic Egypt. Each tribe established its own cemetery which led to the gradual expansion of what would become a vast necropolis over the centuries. As Cairo grew and evolved, the necropolis expanded significantly during the Abbasid and Fatimid periods. These dynasties left their mark by constructing elaborate mausoleums and mosques, enriching the architectural landscape of the City of the Dead. By the 10th century, the area had expanded so significantly that it reached the southern edge of what is now Cairo, thus becoming…
The Cultural and Social Significance of Cairo’s City of the Dead
March 27, 2025
By Belal Nawar
Senior Journalist
