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Nilometer - Cairo

 

Nilometer is located on the island of Rhoda in central Cairo, in Arabic it is known as al-Miqyas. This device was used to measure the levels of the Nile River. Nilometer has existed in the Cairo area since the Pharaonic Period but current structure was designed by Abu’l  Abbas Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Kathir al-Farghani.

 

Interior of this structure is adorned with Islamic calligraphy and motifs. Inside the Nilometer, there is a rectangular walkway. One end of this walkway gives access to the lower end of the pit.

 

Entrance of the Nilometer
Entrance of the Nilometer
Exterior of the Nilometer - Cairo
Interior of the Nilometer is covered by a large dome
Decorative details on the walls of the Nilometer
Decorative details on the walls of the Nilometer
Interior of the Nilometer is richly decorated
Interior of the Nilometer is richly decorated
Interior of this structure is adorned with Islamic calligraphy and motifs
Interior of this structure is adorned with Islamic calligraphy and motifs
Here three sides of the Nilometer and inner canopy can be seen
A wooden beam to left is holding the top end of the measurement column
A wooden beam on left is holding the top end of the measurement column
Steps of the Nilometer - There are 45 of them which lead down to the bottom of the stilling well
Steps of the Nilometer - There are 45 of them which lead down to the bottom of the stilling well
Interior of the Nilometer - wooden beam crosses the structure in the middle thus dividing into two halves
Interior of the Nilometer - wooden beam crosses the structure in the middle thus dividing into two halves
Calligraphic on the wooden beam
Calligraphic on the wooden beam
The point where wooden beam is placed on top of the measuring column
Lower end of the canopy of the Nilometer
One of the corners of the Nilometer
A walkway is built at the top of central pit
A walkway is built at the top of central pit

How it Worked

In order to measure the waters of Nile, a part of the Nilometer would hold the Nile water so it can be measured – If the water level was too low, there would be famine. If it was too high, it would be flood. Three tunnels inside the Nilometer were connected with the Nile and they would bring water inside a pit. To measure the water level, the column is graded and divided into 19 cubits. The tunnels are now blocked off from the Nile River because the Nilometer is no longer functional.

 

Sandstorms and air pollution are two major enemies of any structure in Cairo and Nilometer was receiving a fare share of it.

 

Pit of the Nilometer
These tunnels would bring water from the Nile
These tunnels would bring water from the Nile
This part of the Nilometer would hold the Nile water so it can be measured
This part of the Nilometer would hold the Nile water so it can be measured
A wooden column was used as a marker to show the water levels
A wooden column was used as a marker to show the water levels
Base of the measurement column
Base of the measurement column
One of the arches on side walls of the Nilometer
One of the arches on side walls of the Nilometer
Bottom of the pit
Exterior of the Nilometer
Exterior of the Nilometer
A boat on the Nile just opposite the Nilometer - this boat is used for the entertainment purposes in the evening
A boat on the Nile just opposite the Nilometer - this boat is used for the entertainment purposes in the evening
Water of the Nile - the Nilometer is just to the right of small wall