Heliopolis was one of the most ancient cities of Egypt. The ancient city stood five miles east of the Nile north of the apex of the Delta. In ancient times it was the principal seat of sun-worship thus its name, which means town of the sun in Greek.
LOCATION
The ancient site of Heliopolis lies in the northeastern extreme of greater Cairo in a district known as Mataria.
DESTINATIONS IN HELIOPOLIS
The Obelisk
It is a monolithic tapered shaft that symbolizes the primordial mound upon which the rays of the sun shone first. Made up of red granite, it was built during the reign of Sensuret I to mark the thirtieth year of his reign. The oldest surviving obelisk, it weighs about 21 tones.
Tree of the Holy Virgin
An important site of Christian pilgrimage, it is said that at AI-Matariya, the Holy Family sheltered under a tree known nowadays by the tree of the Virgin Mary. There Lord Jesus gushed forth a spring of water from which he drank, and blessed it. Also, a church was consecrated at AI-Matariya after the name of Virgin Mary. An ancient church, it is visited by people eager to receive a blessing
