Helwan Governorate (Arabic: محافظة حلوان) is one of the governorates of Egypt. It is in the country’s north (Lower Egypt) and covers a stretch of the Nile Valley. Its capital is the city of Helwan. In April 2008, parts of the administrative division of the Cairo governorate were split into two, Cairo and Helwan, with Helwan encompassing most of the suburbs of Cairo, new compounds and rural southern villages. Helwan became the capital of the new Helwan governorate.
Location of Helwan Governorate
Helwan is a city in Egypt and part of Greater Cairo, on the Nile’s bank, opposite Memphis’s ruins. Initially, it was the most southern suburb of the Cairo governorate.
History of Helwan governorate
Helwan governorate dates back to the pharaonic era, and it was known as” “Ain Aan” as the word “Ain” stands for the water springs in the area, and the word” “Aan” means fish. Moreover, the first water dam was found in Helwan.
Coptic History
In the Coptic era, Christians and Jews inhabited the area and built monasteries, churches, and synagogues. Foreigners, especially Greeks and Italians, also lived in Helwan, spreading Roman orthodox and Catholic churches in the area. It was calle” “Hay- w “n”, then the name became Helwan.
Islamic History
In the Islamic era, the plague spread across Fustat city in 686 AD. So, Abdel Aziz ibn Marwan, Governor of Egypt during The Umayyad Caliphate, moved to Helwan city and built palaces and mosques. Abdel Aziz chose the name” “Helwan” for this city because it had the same position and features as Helwan city of Iraq. Urbanization and prosperity continued in the area until the Ottoman era. Then it was neglected and left to deterioration.
Modern History
After years of neglect, Helwan restored its importance iEgypt’s’siEgypt’s’s modern history when Khedive Abbas Helmy ruled Egypt. Helwan sulfur springs were then rediscovered and were used to treat soldiers from skin diseases that spread in the army at this time. Afterwards, Khedive Abbas ordered building a sulfur hammam for therapeutic purposes. Later, Europeans flowed to Helwan, but the difficulty of transportation and its remoteness prevented any investment in the area. In the Khedive Said period between 1854 and 1863, several rest stops were built around Helwan sulfur springs, as well as a department to manage the visits and supervise the cleaning process to preserve its therapeutic elements. Early in the Khedive Ismail period, they began to build more sulfur baths in the area and established a railway that ran from El-Manshia next to Qalaa street to the Helwan district. Therefore, Helwan gained more fame worldwide, and more people came to live in it, especially rulers, Pashas, and rich people. Moreover, Helwan became the capital of Egypt during the Khedive Tawfiq period, and he built th” “Grand Hot” l” in 1888, which is now Helwan Secondary School for Girls and Helwan Observatory as palaces, museums, and mosques.
Declaration of Helwan Governorate
The Helwan Governorate was split from the Cairo Governorate in April 2008. It was created through a presidential decree to ease the burden on Cairo, one of Egypt’s most densely populated governorates. In April 2011, Prime Minister Essam Sharaf abolished the Helwan Governorate and reincorporated its territory into the Cairo Governorate. The city of Helwan became the capital of the Helwan Governorate, encompassing most of the eastern suburbs of Cairo, notably the affluent neighbourhood of Maadi.
Landmarks of Helwan Governorate
Helwan district houses many significant landmarks like the Rokn Farouq Museum, the Japanese Garden, the Wax Museum, and the Helwan Observatory, located on a limestone plateau. Helwan Observatory was built in 1903 and gained great fame due to its distinctive geographical location. It attracted astronomers worldwide who came to conduct joint scientific studies. Furthermore, the British astronomer Reynolds dedicated a 30- inch reflector to the Observatory. The Observatory also has one of the world’s largest telescopes.
