Heliopolis, Archaeological site and ancient sanctuary in Cairo, Egypt
Heliopolis is an archaeological site and former sanctuary in Cairo, Egypt, with remains lying beneath the modern districts of Al-Matariyyah and Ain Shams. The most visible part of the ancient complex today is a standing red granite obelisk originally from the Temple of Ra-Atum, raised during Dynasty XII.
The city originated before the Old Kingdom and rose to prominence as a religious center governing the thirteenth Nome of Lower Egypt during the third to sixth dynasties. Its peak came during the Old and Middle Kingdoms before gradually declining in influence during later periods.
The place took its name from the worship of the sun god Ra, venerated here together with the creator deity Atum. Greek scholars later gave the city the name Heliopolis, meaning City of the Sun, reflecting its religious importance.
The site lies today within residential areas where excavations continue to uncover new elements and architectural fragments. Visitors find the obelisk in Al-Matariyyah, a district east of central Cairo.
Two obelisks from this city now stand along the Thames in London and in Central Park in New York. They are often called Cleopatra's Needles, though they were created centuries before her time.
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