Windmills of Egypt 🌍


Alexandria (#eg1)

(31.28143,30.0149)
Montaza Palace Gardens: tower mill :

8 sailed, vertical sided tower.

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Historical locations

Cairo (#eg2)

Variously described as being on the Muqattam hill, or in the Masr El Kadema, or El Zahraa area of Old Cairo. A ruined windmill tower, supposedly owned by the army, and occupied for a time in the 1930's by the future Pope Cyril (Kyrillos) VI.

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Cairo

Various mills in the past Buteman, 01 February 1862
MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.
"THE HOLY LAND AND EGYPT."
CONTINUATION OF PROVOST MACKIRDY'S LECTURE
...
After a voyage of rather over two days, which, in ordinary circumstances, should have been accomplished in from twenty-six to thirty hours, we sighted the Egyptian coast, which, being a low line of shore, is not visible at any great distance. There is nothing remarkable about the appearance of Alexandria as viewed from the sea - a long line of sandy beach - a multitude of low white buildings, with the dome and minarets of a mosque appearing here and there among them, and a number of windmills revolving sluggishly in the almost stagnant air. My friend the supercargo, in his very best English, and with many flattering remarks, drew my attention to the Bay of Aboukir, so memorable in the naval history of our country, and as we approached the harbour, he also pointed out the site of the celebrated Pharos - the father of lighthouses.

Idku (also spelled Edkou), near Alexandria (#eg3)

8 sailed skeleton:

Photo exists showing lots of similar mills throughout the town

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Egypt does not have many corn mills. However there are (or rather were) a lot more water raising devices, called noria, which share many of the features of mills - namely the energy source which is often animal, and the simple gearing and construction mechanisms.

Noria

The technical term in Egypt for the noria is the s�qiya, (also written sakia).

Other noria around the world

Hama, Syria

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Last updated 01/02/2026 Text and images © Mark Berry, 1997-2026 -