Plan to resume work at Bab Al Azab area to turn it into tourist attraction

Work will be resumed at Bab Al Azab upgrading project under which the area is to be turned into a tourist attraction. Bab Al Azab, which occupies an area of l7 feddans embraces a number of historic mansions and archaeological sites of which 6 only are registered.

According to Dr Gaballah Ali Gaballah, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Antiquities the project to be implemented over three years includes a restoration centre, an Islamic art museum, traditional handicraft centres and convention halls.

He noted, however, that the idea of establishing a hotel, which was faced with a row of protests on the part of experts to the point of taking the issue to court, has been cancelled.

Under the same project, he explained, several monuments are to be restored as the gate of Azab, the mosque of Ahmed Katakhda, the Mohamed Ali foundry, remains of Al Ablaq Palace and a dome pertaining to the Ottoman age.

He pointed out that random structures used by the Ottoman and British armies as barracks, mechanic workshops and storehouses of supplies are to be abolished.