Ashraf AboArafe
Shortly before departing Cairo, President Jakov Milatović of Montenegro, accompanied by the First Lady and an official delegation, visited the Bab al-Nasr area and El-Moez Street. The excursion took place on the sidelines of his official state visit to Egypt—the first presidential visit between the two nations since establishing diplomatic relations.
Dr. Ibrahim Saber, Governor of Cairo, accompanied President Milatović and his delegation on a guided tour of Historic Cairo, alongside Dr. Abdel Aziz Qonsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture. Together, they explored the region’s distinct architecture and Islamic monuments, which reflect Egypt’s rich civilization and highlight the nation’s ongoing commitment to preserving its architectural and archaeological heritage.
President Milatović expressed his deep admiration for the sites, describing Historic Cairo as a global cultural treasure that embodies the greatness and diversity of Egyptian history through the ages. He commended Egypt’s dedicated efforts to preserve this unique human legacy and keep it accessible to visitors from around the world.
During their walk through what serves as an open-air museum of Islamic architecture, the Montenegrin delegation learned about the history of the various mosques, caravanserais (wokalas), and historic homes lining El-Moez Street.
The tour featured stops at Bab al-Futuh—one of the three surviving gates of Fatimid Cairo’s walls, built in 1087 AD under the Vizier Badr al-Jamali—and the Mosque of Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, one of the largest and oldest Fatimid mosques.
The delegation also visited Bayt al-Suhaymi, one of the finest remaining examples of traditional Ottoman-era Cairene residential architecture.
President Milatović, the First Lady, and the delegation concluded their journey in the iconic Khan el-Khalili market, taking in traditional handicrafts, handmade jewelry, and Oriental antiques. They ended the visit relaxing at one of the area’s historic cafes, immersed in the authentic atmosphere and rich cultural heritage of Cairo.
