Heliopolis was one of the most ancient cities of Egypt. The ancient city stood five miles east of the Nile, north of the summit of the Delta. In ancient times it was the headquarters of sun-worship as its name, meaning city of the sun in greek.
The ancient site of Heliopolis is located in the extreme north-east of greater Cairo in a neighborhood known as Matara.
Excursions in Heliopolis
The Obelisk
This is a monolithic conical tree that symbolizes the primordial mound where the first rays of the sun. Composed of red granite, was built during the reign of Sensuret I will mark the thirtieth year of his reign. The oldest surviving obelisk, which weighs about 21 tones.
Tree of the Holy Virgin
An important place of Christian pilgrimage, has said that Al-Matariya, the Holy Family to shelter under a tree known today from the tree of the Virgin Mary. There the Lord Jesus gushed via a spring of water from which he drank, and blessed it. In addition, a church was consecrated to the AI-Matariya after the name of the Virgin Mary. The old church, which is visited by people eager to receive a blessing