Montaza, Alexandria
Encyclopedia
31.282659°N 30.02193°W
Montaza (Arabic
:المنتزه, Translated
: "The Park") is the name of both a district
and a park
in Alexandria
, Egypt
. The district includes the park, but the two are legally distinct.
The Montaza District central administration building is in Sidi Bishr
, at the intersection of Masgid Sidi Bishr and Malak Hefni Streets, near the Sidi Bishr station for Alexandria's intra-city rail system. The building was damaged by fire during the Revolution of 2011; the building had contained a police station, which, like police stations across Egypt, was a particular target for protesters.
, it is a favored tourist spot on account of its sizable gardens and palace
s left by its royal heritage; the Egyptian government charges a nominal fee (15 LE
). The Montaza Palace
, which gives the park its name, was constructed during the reign of the Khedive
Abbas II
, the royal family's habit of summering in the palace eventually drew wealthy Egyptians and foreigners to the same location (although foreigners in general tended to congregate at the opposite end of the city, in al-Agami
). It is considered to be quite exclusive to be in possession of a cabin in the Montaza. It can not be bought and is usually passed down from generation to generation. There are several different "suburbs" within the Montaza, the most exclusive being Aida.
Al-Montaza also plays host to a noted clock tower and two old hotels (the Helnan Palestine and Salamlek Palace). The Sheraton Montazah is actually across the street from the park, in the neighborhood of Mandara.
there is an essence that is missing by literal English
translation
. It can only be understood with a greater awareness of the root
: "nuzha"(Arabic: نزهة). This means variably - to be far, untouched, unblemished, and free. Thus "montaza" takes meanings such as promenade, walk, stroll; recreation ground; park.
Montaza (Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
:المنتزه, Translated
Translation
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of...
: "The Park") is the name of both a district
District
Districts are a type of administrative division, in some countries managed by a local government. They vary greatly in size, spanning entire regions or counties, several municipalities, or subdivisions of municipalities.-Austria:...
and a park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
in Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. The district includes the park, but the two are legally distinct.
Montaza District
The district of al-Montaza ( Ḥayy al-Muntazah) is a local government district of Alexandria Governorate on the north-eastern end of the city along the coast. Besides the neighborhood-sized park of al-Montazah which gives it its name, Montaza District includes the neighborhoods of Syouf, al-Falaky, al-Mandarah, Sidi Bishr, Maamoura, Khurshid, Abu Qir and parts of al-Assafra. With a population of approximately 1.2 million, Montaza District is the largest district of the governorate by population.The Montaza District central administration building is in Sidi Bishr
Sidi Bishr
Sidi Bishr is a neighborhood in the Montaza District of Alexandria, Egypt. Established as a summering site by the Egyptian middle class before the Revolution of 1952, it has since become one of the largest neighborhoods of the city...
, at the intersection of Masgid Sidi Bishr and Malak Hefni Streets, near the Sidi Bishr station for Alexandria's intra-city rail system. The building was damaged by fire during the Revolution of 2011; the building had contained a police station, which, like police stations across Egypt, was a particular target for protesters.
Montaza park
The neighborhood of al-Montaza is at the far northeast end of Montaza District, along the coast. Built under the monarchyKhedivate of Egypt
The Khedivate of Egypt was an autonomous tributary state of the Ottoman Empire.- Rise of Muhammad Ali :The Egypt Eyalet was an eyalet of the Ottoman Empire. The eyalet was ruled locally by the Mamluk military caste and their various beys , who started to fight amongst themselves for control of...
, it is a favored tourist spot on account of its sizable gardens and palace
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
s left by its royal heritage; the Egyptian government charges a nominal fee (15 LE
Egyptian pound
The Egyptian Pound is the currency of Egypt. It is divided into 100 Qirsh , or 1,000 Milliemes ....
). The Montaza Palace
Montaza Palace
Montaza Palace is a palace and extensive gardens in the Montaza district of Alexandria, Egypt. It was built on a low plateau east of central Alexandria overlooking a beach on the Mediterranean Sea.-History:Palaces and gardens...
, which gives the park its name, was constructed during the reign of the Khedive
Khedive
The term Khedive is a title largely equivalent to the English word viceroy. It was first used, without official recognition, by Muhammad Ali Pasha , the Wāli of Egypt and Sudan, and vassal of the Ottoman Empire...
Abbas II
Abbas II of Egypt
HH Abbas II Hilmi Bey was the last Khedive of Egypt and Sudan .-Early life:...
, the royal family's habit of summering in the palace eventually drew wealthy Egyptians and foreigners to the same location (although foreigners in general tended to congregate at the opposite end of the city, in al-Agami
Agami
Agamy is a city in the Alexandria Governorate of Egypt. Situated 20 km west of Alexandria, the town is a popular destination for both local Alexandrians and tourists in Giza and Cairo...
). It is considered to be quite exclusive to be in possession of a cabin in the Montaza. It can not be bought and is usually passed down from generation to generation. There are several different "suburbs" within the Montaza, the most exclusive being Aida.
Al-Montaza also plays host to a noted clock tower and two old hotels (the Helnan Palestine and Salamlek Palace). The Sheraton Montazah is actually across the street from the park, in the neighborhood of Mandara.
An approach to the word "Montaza"
"Montaza" does mean "park", but like most words in ArabicArabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
there is an essence that is missing by literal English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
translation
Translation
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of...
. It can only be understood with a greater awareness of the root
Root (linguistics)
The root word is the primary lexical unit of a word, and of a word family , which carries the most significant aspects of semantic content and cannot be reduced into smaller constituents....
: "nuzha"(Arabic: نزهة). This means variably - to be far, untouched, unblemished, and free. Thus "montaza" takes meanings such as promenade, walk, stroll; recreation ground; park.