The Cairo Nilometer

Monument Cairo, Cairo, Egypt

What to expect

The Cairo Nilometer is a historic structure used to measure the Nile River's water level during the annual flood season. Located on Rawda Island in Cairo, it is one of the oldest nilometers in Egypt and dates back to 861 AD. The nilometer consists of a marble octagonal column in the middle of a stone-lined well, with Qur'anic texts and measuring marks carved on the walls. The structure was used to predict the volume of the coming inundation, which was crucial for agriculture and taxation. Visitors can explore the nilometer and learn about its significance in ancient Egyptian civilization. The nilometer is also a notable example of Islamic architecture and engineering

Plan your family visit to the The Cairo Nilometer with these blog insights 👇

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What to Do in Cairo? - 2022 Cairo Egypt

What to Do in Cairo? - 2022 Cairo Egypt
This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the Cairo Nilometer, which is on a Nile island (Rhoda Island) just to the south of Gezira, and is a construction built to measure the clarity and height of the Nile's floods

Highlights: We loved learning about the history of the Nilometer, and the kids were fascinated by its design and purpose ✨