The Nilometer

The Egyptians have taken utmost care of the Nile from time immemorial as Herodotus said "Egypt is the gift of the Nile". When the Muslims conquered Egypt, they proved that they are civilized and good keepers of God's blessings by constructing the Nilometer.

It is located in Al-Roda Island and it is not the only one of its type as it was preceded by other buildings. Taxes were calculated according to the rise of Nile water.

The Nilometer was built by the orders of the Abbasside caliph Al-Mutawakil Ala-Allah in 246 AH (860 AD). It consists of a square fountain to which water enters and in the middle there is a white marble pillar. This pillar is octagonal and is 18 cubits high (the cubit is an ancient measure and equals 18 inches). At the day of measuring the rise in Nile water, people overcrowd to celebrate the occasion.