City of the Dead (Al-Arafa)

Cairo’s City of the Dead, known as Al-Arafa, comprises two 4-mile-long cemeteries dating back to the Mamluk era (1200s to 1500s) and remains in use today. Traditionally, each family maintained a mausoleum, but now some of these structures serve as homes alongside their original burial purpose. The area is not just a place of rest; it also bustles with everyday life, featuring shops, cafés, and even a post office. Visitors can explore this unique blend of the living and the dead, experiencing a community that has adapted and thrived within the historic necropolis.