Ancient meets ultra-modern today on Google Street View, as several of Egypt’s most popular monuments premiere on the service.
Viewers around the world can now feast their eyes on Street View’s trademark sharp, panoramic views of some of Egypt’s most famous ancient monuments, like the Great Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza, Cairo Citadel, the Hanging Church and more.
The sites were shot using a 75-megapixel camera, toted on the back of a technician in areas where motor vehicles were prohibited.
According to Google, there are over 10 million still images covering 7.2 million miles of terrain in more than 59 countries (plus Antarctica) contained in Street View.
Here’s our gallery of highlights from Egypt on Street View.
Cairo Citadel Entrance
Building on this site dates back to 810. Salah ad-Din (1171-1193 AD) strengthened the area’s protections to fortify it against Crusaders from Europe.
View from the citadel
This panorama is among Street View’s captures of the Cairo Citadel.
Mosque of Muhammad Ali
Built in the first half ot he 19th century, the Muhammad Ali Mosque’s Ottoman styling broke with traditional Egyptian architecture.
The Mosque of Muhammad Ali Square
The Muhammad Ali Mosque’s Ottoman style is a major break from more traditional Egyptian architecture.
Citadel of Qaitbey
Sited in Alexandria, the Citadel of Qaitbey was built in the last quarter of the 15th century, on the site of an ancient lighthouse that was a “wonder of the ancient world” but toppled by an earthquake.
Monastery of Saint Mina
One of the most famous sites in Coptic Christianity, the monastery was built in the mid-20th century.
Cathedral of Saint Mina
The cathedral is contained within the monastery.
The Saqqara necropolis
Walking the Saqqara site with Goggle’s Trekker camera.
Pyramid of Djoser
Pharaoh Djoser’s reign ended in 2611 B.C. His tomb of six stepped layers stood 204 feet high–the largest building of its era.
The Enclosure Wall
This 34-foot high limestone wall stands just beyond the Stepped Pyramid of Djoser, enclosing a 37-acre area.
The Hanging Church
The Hanging Church or Al-Moallaqa is one of the oldest churches in Egypt. Its name refers to its location above a gatehouse of a Roman fortress, with the nave suspended over a passage through the gate. It was probably built in the late 7th century.
Capturing Images
A technician carries Google Street View’s “Trekker” camera among the monuments at Giza.
Giza
On the road to the Great Pyramids and Sphinx.
The Great Sphinx
The Great Sphinx of Giza has sparked imaginations for centuries, possibly millennia. (Its age remains uncertain.) The massive monument – 241 feet long, 63 feet wide, and 66.34 feet high – is a great test of Goggle Street View’s capabilities.
