The City of the Sun: Heliopolis

Located in Lower Egypt, Heliopolis was a crucial city, serving as the capital of the 13th Nome. This major religious center held a special place in the heart of the Egyptians, for it was the principal cult center of the solar deity Atum, who was interpreted by the Greeks as Helios.

In its prime, Heliopolis flourished as a seat of learning during the Greek period, where schools of philosophy and astronomy were frequented by figures such as Pythagoras and Solon. Most of the city lies in ruins today, as its temples and other buildings were scavenged for the construction of medieval Cairo.

Yet, one of its most notable remnants remains in its original position. The obelisk of the Temple of Ra-Atum, erected by Senusret I of the Twelfth Dynasty, stands 21 m (69 ft) high in El Matareya. Two smaller obelisks, now in London and New York, were also originally from Heliopolis. The ancient city is currently located about 15-20 meters below the streets of the suburbs of Al-Matariyyah and Ain Shams in northern Cairo.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons