Iconic Tahrir Square to be Turned into Egyptian Tourist Site

Egypt’s Minister of Housing Assem Al-Gazzar announced Friday that Downtown Cairo’s infamous Tahrir Square is to become an official archaeological and tourist attraction.

A meeting was held by Al-Gazzar and attended by ministry officials, the deputy governor of Cairo, the chairman of the board of the Arab Contractors Company, and parties involved in the implementation of the project. It was called for the archaeological obelisk to be transferred to the square, for the planting of palm and olive trees in the area, and for the removal of banners blocking old urban buildings’ facades.

This initiative is part of a greater effort to develop historic Cairo with its cultural, historic, touristic and archeological importance, with Egypt’s New Administrative Capital in the works.

One of the most famous squares in the country and in the world, the square has played a huge role in Egypt’s recent history and functioning as space for assemblies of Cairenes, being the focal point for historical movements like the 1977 Bread Riots, the anti-US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the 2011 Youth Revolution and the June 30 Revolution.