15 photos of what Egypt was like a hundred years ago: the first color photographs of the 1920s (17 photos)

Daily life on Egyptian streets, lively bazaars, merchants and ancient temples dating back several thousand years: this is exactly what Cairo was like with its amazing atmosphere and color a century ago.





The history of modern Egypt began in the 19th century, when Muhammad Ali Pasha ascended the throne. He achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire, built up his own army and transformed the entire government. And it was also during his reign and the reign of his followers that Europeans began to come to Egypt: it was they who changed the appearance of Cairo. In addition, Egypt captured the minds of the inhabitants of many countries, and real Egyptomania began: it was during this period that antiquities began to be actively removed from Egyptian temples.



Pyramids and Sphinx

By the 1920s, when these photographs were taken, there were more than 200,000 foreigners living in Egypt. Most of them were Greeks, but also Italians, French and English. They made adjustments to the ancient city, rebuilding some quarters. They also created corners of civilization: they became large areas with apartment buildings where electricity and running water were supplied. But at the same time, they did not dare to modernize and radically change ancient Cairo itself, hoping to preserve the national heritage. It was during this time of active development that W. Robert Moor and J. Gervais Courtellemont came to photograph Cairo. They were shooting for National Geographic, trying to capture everyday life and the streets of Cairo, and these photographs are among the first color images of the capital of this Arab Republic.

Local weavers against the backdrop of the great palaces of the Fatimid caliphs





At the entrance to the French Consulate



A man looks at the Cairo citadel



Pillow and blanket merchant



Fruit stand



Fig trees in one of the parks in Cairo



Hat traders



View of the mosque on one of the Cairo streets



Monastery of St. Catherine, hidden in the Sinai mountains



Students in the courtyard of the Al-Hazar Mosque



Woman selling fruit at the market



The pyramids are the only surviving wonder of the world



Traders preparing meat in a store



Majestic tombs of the caliphs



Shoe salesman