Bilbays, Egypt
Region: Bilbays
Geographic Coordinates: 30.416700, 31.566700
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Dry and hot summers, mild winters with occasional rainfall.
Population: 141285
Language: Arabic
Bilbays, Also known as Belbeis, Is a city in the Sharqia Governorate of Egypt. It’s located on the eastern side of the Nile Delta and has a history dating back to ancient times. The city was once an important center of trade and commerce due to its strategic location near major transportation routes. One of Bilbays’ most significant landmarks is the Citadel, Built during the Mamluk period in 1380 AD. The Citadel served as a military fortress that protected Bilbays from invading forces for centuries. Today it stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and architectural heritage.
Another notable attraction in Bilbays is the Mosque of Al-Anwar, Built during the Ottoman period in 1525 AD. This mosque features stunning architecture with intricate details and beautiful calligraphy adorning its walls. It serves as an important religious site for Muslims living in Bilbays and surrounding areas. The city also has several parks and gardens where visitors can relax or enjoy outdoor activities such as picnicking or playing sports. One such park is Al-Azhar Park, Which offers breathtaking views of Cairo’s skyline along with lush greenery and well-manicured lawns.
In addition to its historical landmarks and natural beauty, Bilbays is famous for traditional crafts like pottery-making, Weaving, And embroidery. Visitors can witness these crafts being practiced by skilled artisans at local markets or workshops throughout the city. Bilbays celebrates several festivals throughout the year that showcase its cultural heritage including Moulid El-Nabi (the Prophet’s Birthday) where people gather to sing hymns praising Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Another festival celebrated by locals here includes Sham El-Nessim (Spring Festival), Which marks springtime’s arrival with picnics outdoors while eating salted fish dishes called fesikh.
Overall, Bilbays offers visitors a glimpse into Egypt’s rich history and cultural heritage. Its ancient landmarks, Natural beauty, And traditional crafts make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Egypt.
- Bilbays Castle: A castle built during the Mamluk period in the 13th century.
- Al-Azhar Mosque: A beautiful mosque located in the heart of Bilbays.
- The Shrine of Imam al-Shafi’i: A shrine dedicated to one of the most renowned Islamic scholars.
- The Tomb of Sheikh Abu al-Hassan al-Shazli: A tomb dedicated to a Sufi saint who lived during the 13th century.
- The Old Market (Souq): A traditional market where you can find local products like spices, textiles, and handicrafts.
- The Nile River: Although not directly located in Bilbays, visitors can take a boat ride on the Nile River from nearby cities like Cairo or Alexandria.
- Qaitbay Citadel: Located about an hour’s drive from Bilbays is this historic fortress built by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qaitbay during his reign as ruler of Egypt and Syria from 1468 to 1496 AD.
Please note that some sites may be closed or have limited access due to COVID-19 restrictions; visitors should check with local authorities before planning their trip to these locations.
- Agriculture: Bilbays is well-known for its production of crops such as wheat, corn, cotton, and vegetables.
- Textile Industry: The city boasts a thriving textile industry that produces fabrics and garments for both local consumption and export.
- Construction: Several construction companies operate in Bilbays to cater to the growing demand for housing and infrastructure development.
- Retail: There are numerous small retail stores in Bilbays selling goods like groceries, clothing, and household items.
- Services: The city also offers various services such as healthcare facilities, banking services, transportation services (taxis), education institutions etc., which contribute significantly to the region’s economy.
- Battle of Bilbeis: In 1167, King Amalric I of Jerusalem led the Crusaders to attack Bilbeis, which was then under the Fatimid Caliphate’s control. The battle ended in favor of the Crusaders who captured Bilbeis.
- Al-Suyuti: Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti was a renowned Islamic scholar born in Bilbays in 1445. He authored numerous works on various topics such as theology, history, and jurisprudence.
- Al-Azhar University: A branch campus of Al-Azhar University – a prominent Islamic university – is located within Bilbays.
- Napoleon Bonaparte: During his campaign in Egypt from 1798-1801, Napoleon Bonaparte passed through Bilbays en route to Cairo.
- Sayyid Qutb: Sayyid Qutb was an influential Islamist writer and thinker who taught at Dar al-Ulum College (now part of Al-Azhar University) located within Bilbays during the 1940s.
- Mamluk Sultanate: During the Mamluk Sultanate (1250-1517), several sultans including Baybars I and Qalawun used Bilbeis as an important administrative center for Upper Egypt.
- Mosque of Al-Azhar
- Cairo Tower
- The Egyptian Museum
- Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
- Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
- Salah El-Din Citadel
- The Hanging Church
- Saqqara Step Pyramid
- Memphis Museum
- Coptic Museum
- Cairo International Film Festival
- Alexandria Mediterranean Film Festival
- Cairo Book Fair
- Luxor African Film Festival
- Sharm El-Sheikh International Theater Festival for Youth
- Cairo Jazz Festival
- Alexandria International Song Festival
- Mawazine World Rhythms festival in Rabat (Morocco) – which is not too far from Bilbays.
It’s important to note that due to the current global pandemic situation, some of these events may be postponed or canceled without prior notice so it’s better to check with local authorities before planning a trip to attend any event or festival in Egypt or its neighboring countries for safety reasons as well as travel restrictions if any are enforced by governments at this time.
- Foul and Falafel: A street food dish made of fava beans and chickpeas served with falafel.
- Koshari El Tahrir: A traditional Egyptian dish made of rice, lentils, pasta, chickpeas, and tomato sauce.
- El Basha Restaurant: A local restaurant serving Egyptian dishes such as kofta (grilled meatballs), shawarma (spit-roasted meat), and grilled chicken.
- Alhoda Restaurant: Known for its seafood dishes including fried fish and shrimp.
- El Kebda We El Batates Restaurant: Specializes in liver dishes served with potatoes.
- Abu Shakra Restaurant: Offers a variety of traditional Egyptian dishes including stuffed pigeon (hamam mahshi) and molokheya (a stew made from jute leaves).
- Al Mokhtabar Bakery: Famous for its freshly baked breads such as baladi bread (Egyptian flatbread) and samoon bread (a type of Arabic bread).
- Bilbays Public Park is a spacious and well-equipped park situated in the heart of Bilbays. It provides visitors with various recreational activities such as playgrounds, sports fields, walking paths, and picnic areas.
- Al-Andalus Park is another popular destination in Bilbays that boasts stunning gardens, fountains, and a lake where paddle boats are available for rent.
- El-Mahalla Sporting Club offers an array of sporting activities including football/soccer fields, tennis courts, and swimming pools for visitors to enjoy.
- The Bilbays Cultural Center plays host to numerous cultural events such as theater performances, music concerts, and art exhibitions throughout the year.
- Nile River Cruises are a must-do activity while visiting the region. Tourists can take a boat tour along the Nile River while enjoying traditional Egyptian food and music.
- Horseback Riding tours through the countryside or around town can be arranged at several stables located in Bilbays.
- Fishing Trips are also available at Lake Manzala which is renowned for its abundant fishing grounds where visitors can catch local fish species like mullet and catfish under guided supervision.
