Qasr al-Nil Bridge

The Qasr al-Nil Bridge spans the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt. Qasr el-Nil Street runs from Midan Tahrir in downtown Cairo, past the Nile Hilton and Egyptian Museum, over the bridge, connecting with the Cairo Opera House and other places in Zamalek and Gezira Island. At the end of the bridge, there are four lion statues which are the work of Henri Alfred Jacquemart.

Construction

The bridge was built in 1872, and was originally named the Khedive Ismail Bridge. After the 1952 coup, the name of the bridge, as well as other buildings and bridges, were changed. The bridge was named Qasr al-Nil, which means Palace of the Nile in Arabic.cite news |title=Cairo’s bridge of dreams |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/14/world/fg-bridge14 |author=Fleishman, Jeffrey |date=August 14, 2007 |publisher=Los Angeles Times]

Attraction

The Qasr al-Nil Bridge is popular for strolling in the evenings. The bridge offers views of the river, as well as hotels and other buidings along the Corniche. The bridge is especially popular as spot for young Egyptian couples to have an inexpensive date. As well, in Islam, there are limits on the types of activities and places that young unmarried couples should engage in. Some couples will stay out on the bridge for hours.

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